txhvavy  of  Che  t^heolo^icd  ^tmxnavy 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 
PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  H.   LeFevre 

BX1878 
.52. A  \ 
1^21 


0}X^  ^  fnm}- 


\>  JUMli  1952  ^ 

D 

iscipline 

1/- 

of  the  Church  of  the 

•      'Ui 

nited  Brethren  in  Christ 

Including 

Origin,  Doctrine,  and  Constitution 

1921—1925 

^/ 

^ 

Otterbein  Press 

United  Brethren  Publishing  House 

Dayton.  Ohio 

1921 

W.  R.  FUNK,  Publishing  Agent 

Edited  and  Published  by 

Authority  of  the  General  Conference 

of  1921 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I 

THE    CHURCH. 


ilAi'TKI!  PAGE 

I     Okigix  of  the  Church -9 

II     Confession    of    Faith 13 

III  Constitution     16 

PART  II 

:NrE.MBERSHIP,    (iOVERNMENT,    AND     MINISTRY. 

IV  Members    19 

Reception   of   Members 19 

Duties   of   Members 21 

Trial    of    Members 25 

Transfer  and  Withdrawal  of  Members.  27 

V     Govern:ment  of  the  Churcit 30 

Churches     30 

Class-Leaders     31 

Class-Stewards     32 

Church   Deacons    _.._..  33 

Church    Clerk     '  33 

Official    Board    33 

Quarterly   Conference    _ .  .  35 

Annual   Conference    .  .  _ 38 

General    Conference     40 

VI     Ministry   of   the    Church 46 

Lay    Preachers     46 

Quarterly-Conference    Preachers    46 

Annual-Conference    Preachers    48 

Reception   of   Preachers   from   Other 

Churches      - 51 

Classification   of   the   Ministry 52 

Elders     - 53 

Conference  Superintendents  54 

Bishops  57 

Duties    of    Preachers _ 60 

Trial    of    Preachers - 61 

VII     rnNi:RANCY 65 

Itinerants    65 

Duties  of   Itinerants    66 

Preachers'    Salaries    ....._ 70 


VI  CO-NTKNTS 

(  IIAPTEK  PACE 

VI II     Deaconess  Work    71 

Deaconesses      .  .  _ 71 

Deaconess'   Homes    72 

IX     CoT'RSES    OF    Study 73 

For    Quarterly-Conference    Preachers  .  .  73 

For   Annual-Conference    Preachers 74 

German    Course   of    Study 78 

Deaconess    Course   of    Study _ 79 

German  Course  of  Study  for  Deacon- 
esses     - 80 

X     Appeals     '. 82 

From  the  Decision  of  a  Class 82 

From    the    Decision    of    a    Quarterly 

Conference     _ 82 

Court  of  Appeals    _ 82 

PART  III 

SOCIAL  SERVICE   AND    ■MORAL  REFORM. 

XI     Special  Rules .  84 

Social    Service     84 

Temperance     . .  _ _ 85 

Sabbath  Observance  86 

Slavery     86 

Secret    Combinations     _ .  .  .  .  86 

Oaths     _ 87 

War   _ 87 

Divorce     _ _ 87 

Civic    Affairs    88 

PART  IV 
Property. 

XII     Church-Houses  axd  Parsonages  , 89 

PART  V 
Boards,  Departments,  and  Institutions. 

XIII     Board  of  Church  Trustees 94 

XIV     Board    of    Administration 95 

XV    Department  of  Sunday  School.  Broth- 
erhood and  Young  People's  Work 97 

Constitution  of  Board  of  Control 97 

Sunday-School  Work    _ 101 

Constitution  for  a  Sunday  School 101 

Brotherhood  Work   . .  _ 103 

Constitution  for  a  Brotherhood 103 


XVI 
XVII 

XVIII 


XIX 
XX 
XXI 


XXII 


XXIII 

XXIV 

XXV 

XXVI 

XXVII 


PAGE 

Young  People's  Work _ 106 

Constitution    for    Conference    Chris- 
tian Endeavor  Union 106 

Constitution  for  Christian  Endeavor 

Society    108 

Constitution    for    Junior    and    Inter- 
mediate  Societies    _ 115 

Ho:me    Missio.naky    Society — Constitution  120 
Foreign    Missionary    Society — Consti- 
tution   .  ._ 126 

Women's  Missionary  Association 133 

General  Constitution   . .  _ 133 

Conference    Branch    Constitution 139 

Local   Society  Constitution 142 

Otterbein   Guild   Constitution 145 

Women's  Aid  Society   149 

Church   Erection    Society 151 

Printing  Establishment  and  Church 

Publications    155 

Printing  Establishment    155 

Church   Publications    158 

Education     159 

Constitution  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion     - 159 

Beneficiary  Aid    - 162 

Education    Day    162 

Academies  and  Colleges   163 

Bonebrake  Theological   Seminary 164 

Board   of   Evangelism 169 

General  Church  Treasury 171 

Historical    Society    172 

Homes  and  Orphanages 175 

Ministerial  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan.  176 


PART  VI 
boundaries. 

XXVIII     Bishops'   Districts    185 

XXIX     Conferences   and  Districts    186 

Domestic    Conferences     - 186 

Foreign   Conferences    192 


10  DISCIPLINE 

necessity  of  their  utmost  endeavors  to  save  souls.  At 
one  of  these  meetings  it  was  resolved  to  hold  a  confer- 
ence of  all  the  preachers,  in  order  to  consider  in  what 
manner  they  might  be  most  useful. 

The  first  conference  was  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1789.  The  following 
preachers  were  present: 

WiLLiA:\r  Otterbeix,  Auam  Lehman, 

Martin  Boehm,  John  Eunst, 

Geo.   a.  Guething,  Henry  Weidner, 

C  Hl{  [  S'l  I  a  n  N  e  wc  omeh. 

The  second  conference  was  held  in  Paradise  Township, 
York  County,  Pennsylvania,  at  the  house  of  Brother 
John  Spangler.  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1791.  The  fol- 
lowing preachers  were  present: 

William    Otterbeix,  John  Ernst, 

Martin  Boehm.  J.  G.  Pfrimmer, 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  John  Neidig, 

Christian  Newcomer,        Benedict  Sanders, 
AiiAM  Lehman. 

After  mature  deliberation  as  to  how  they  might  labor 
most  usefully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  they  again 
appointed  as  fellow-laborers  such  as  they  had  come  to 
believe  had  experienced  true  religion  in  their  souls. 

Meantime,  the  number  of  members  continued  to  in- 
crease, and  the  preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint  an 
annual  conference,  in  order  to  unite  themselves  more 
closely  and  to  labor  more  successfully  in  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord;  for  some  had  been  Presbyterians  or  German 
Reformed,  some  Lutherans,  and  others  Mennonites 
They  accordingly  appointed  a  conference  to  be  held  on 
the  25th  of  September.  1800,  in  Frederick  County,  Mary- 
land, at  the  house  of  Brother  Frederick  Kemp.  The 
following  preachers  were  present: 

William  Otterbein,  Christian  Krim, 

Martin    Boehm,  Henry  Krum, 

Geo.  Giething,  John  Hershey, 

Christian  Newco.mek.        Jacob  Geisinger. 
Adam  Lehman.  Henry  Boehm, 

AilKAHAM     TroXEL.  DIETRICH    AURAND, 

J.  G.  Pfrimmer. 

There  they  united  themselves  into  a  society  which 
bears    the    name    "United    Bp.etiikex    in    Christ,'*    and 


'ORKJJ.N     OF    TH?:    IIHIUMI  11 

elected  Willia:m  Ottekbf.ix  and  Martix  Boehm  as  super- 
intendents, or  bishops,  and  agreed  that  each  of  them 
should  have  liberty  as  to  the  mode  of  baptism,  to  admin- 
ister it  according  to  his  own  convictions. 

From  this  time,  the  society  increasing  still  more  and 
more,  preachers  were  appointed  to  travel  regularly,  as 
the  number  of  preaching-places  could  not  otherwise  be 
supplied.  The  work  soon  extended  into  the  States  of 
Ohio  and  Kentucky.  It  then  became  necessary  to  appoint 
a  conference  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  because  it  was  thought 
too  laborious  for  the  preachers  who  labored  in  those 
States  to  travel  annuallyi  such  a  great  distance  to  con- 
ference. 

Meantime,  Martin  Bokhm  and  Gk()R(;e  A.  GmHixG 
died,  and  Bishop  Otterbeix  desired  that  another  bishop 
should  be  elected  (because  infirmity  and  old  age  would 
not  permit  him  to  superintend  any  longer),  who  should 
take  charge  of  the  society,  and  preserve  discipline  and 
order.  It  was  resolved  at  a  former  conference  that  when- 
ever one  of  the  bishops  died  another  should  be  elected 
in  his  place.  Accordingly,  Christian  Newcomer  was 
elected  bishop,  to  take  charge  of  and  superintend  the 
concerns  of  the  society. 

The  want  of  a  book  of  discipline  in  the  society  had 
long  been  deeply  felt.  Partial  attempts  to  provide  one 
had  been  made  at  different  times.  Hence  it  was  resolved, 
at  the  conference  held  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  that  a  Gen- 
eral Conference  should  be  held,  in  order  to  provide  the 
same,  in  a  manner  not  derogatory  to  the  Word  of  God. 
The  members  of  this  conference  were  to  be  elected  from 
among  the  preachers  in  the  different  parts  of  the 
country  by  a  vote  of  the  society  in  general.  The  follow- 
ing brethren  were  duly  elected: 

Christian  Newcomer.  Dani?:l  Trover, 

Abraham   Hiestand,  George  Benedum, 

Andrew  Zeller,  Abraham  Troxel, 

Christian  Berger,  Henry  G.  Spayth, 

Abraham  Mayer,  I.  Nfswander. 

John    Schneider,  Christian  Krum, 

Henry  Kumler,  Jacob  Bowlus. 

The  conference  convened  on  the  Gth  of  June,  1S15,  near 
Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania. 
After  mature  deliberation,  they  presented  to  their 
brethren  a  Book  of  Discipline,  containing  the  doctrine 


12  DISCIPLINE 

and  rules  of  the  Church,  desiring  that  these,  together 
with  the  Word  of  God,  should  be  strictly  observed,  and 
admonishing  the  membership  in  the  following  manner: 

God  is  a  God  of  order;  but  where  there  is  no  order  and 
no  church  discipline,  the  spirit  of  love  and  charity  will 
be  lost. 

Therefore,  brethren,  we  beseech  you  to  follow  the  ex- 
ample of  our  Lord,  as  it  is  written,  "Be  kindly  affectioned 
one  to  another  with  brotherly  love;  in  honor  preferring 
one  another."  Let  the  mind  be  in  you  which  was  in 
Christ,  who  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  hum- 
bled himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross,  that  by  his  grace  we  may  submit  our- 
selves one  to  another  in  the  fear  of  God.  He  who  will 
not  submit  is  in  want  of  humble  love.  Jesus  said, 
"Whosoever  of  you  will  be  the  chiefest,  shall  be  servant 
of  all.  "By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  dis- 
ciples, if  ye  have  love  one  to  another."  "He  that  loveth 
not  his  brother  abideth  in  death."  Let  us  walk  in  new- 
ness of  life,  that  the  prayer  of  our  Lord  may  be  answered 
in  us;  that  we  may  be  one  in  him,  and  that  he  may  give 
us  the  glory  which  he  gave  to  his  disciples,  that  we  may 
be  one,  even  as  he  and  the  Father  are  one.  Therefore, 
beloved  brethren,  let  us  strive  to  be  like-minded,  having 
the  same  love,  being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind.  Let  no 
one  speak  or  think  evil  of  his  brother  but  pray  God  that 
he  may  grant  us  his  spirit,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  lead 
a  truly  devoted  life,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  his  holy 
name.     Amen. 


Editok-'s  Note. — The  foregoing  aocoiint  of  the  origin  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Buethrex  ix  Christ  appeared  in  the 
Discipline  of  1815,  the  first  Discipline  published.  Only  the 
slightest  changes  in  phraseology,  as  the  years  have  passed'  have 
been  made.  The  place  of  the  Conference  of  1800.  given  as 
Frederick  Kemp's,  is  the  same  as  the  residence  of  Peter  Kemp, 
as  in  the  history  of  the  I'nited  Brethren  Church,  the  two  men 
being  father  and  son.  and  the  farm  passing  from  the  possession 
of  one  to  that  of  the  other.  The  present  Discipline  contains 
the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Constitution  as  amended  ac- 
cording to  the  action  of  the  General  Confernce  of  1885.  and 
approved  and  confirmed  by  the  General  Conference  of  18189. 
nie  Confession  of  Faitti  appeared  in  it's  first  printed  form  in 
l.'^lo.  The  Constitution,  in  its  earlier  form,  was  adopted  in 
1841. 


CHAPTER  II 

CoxFEssiox  OF  Faith 

In  the  name  of  God,  we  declare  and  confess  before  all 
men  the  following  articles  of  our  belief: 

Article  I — Of  God  and  the  Hohj  Trinity. 

We  believe  in  the  only  true  God,  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  these  three  are  one — the  Father 
in  the  Son,  the  Son  in  the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
equal  in  essence  or  being  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

Article  II — Of  Creation  and  Providence. 

We  believe  that  this  triune  God  created  the  heavens 
and  the  earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  visible  and  invis- 
ible; that  he  sustains,  protects,  and  governs  these,  with 
gracious  regard  for  the  welfare  of  man,  to  the  glory  of 
his  name. 

Article  III — Of  Jesus  Christ. 

We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ;  that  he  is  very  God  and 
man;  that  he  became  incarnate  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  and  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary;  that  he  is 
the  Savior  and  Mediator  of  the  whole  human  race,  if 
they  with  full  faith  accept  the  grace  proffered  in  Jesus; 
that  this  Jesus  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  for  us,  was 
buried,  rose  again  on  the  third  day,  ascended  into  heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  intercede  for 
us;  and  that  he  will  come  again  at  the  last  day  to  judge 
the  living  and  the  dead. 

Article  IV— Of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  he  is  equal  in  be- 
ing with  the  Father  and  the  Son;  that  he  convinces  the 
world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment;  that  he 
comforts  the  faithful  and  guides  them  into  all  truth. 

Article  V — Of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, is  the  word  of  God;  that  it  reveals  the  only  true 
way    to    our    salvation;    that    every    true    Christian    is 

13 


14  i)rs(ii>i,iNE 

bound  to  acknowledge  and  receive  it  by  the  help  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  as  the  only  rule  and  guide  in  faith  and 
practice. 

Article  VI— Of  the  Church. 

We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian  church,  composed  of 
true  believers,  in  which  the  word  of  God  is  preached  by 
men  divinely  called,  and  the  ordinances  are  duly  admin- 
istered; that  this  divine  institution  is  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  worship,  for  the  edification  of  believers,  and  the 
conversion  of  the  world  to  Christ. 

Article   VII — Of  the  Sacraments. 

We  believe  that  the  sacraments,  baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  are  to  be  used  in  the  Church,  and  should  be 
practiced  by  all  Christians;  but  the  mode  of  baptism  and 
the  manner  of  observing  the  Lord's  Supper  are  always 
to  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  understanding  of  each 
individual.  Also,  the  baptism  of  children  shall  be  left  to 
the  judgment  of  believing  parents. 

The  example  of  the  washing  of  feet  is  to  be  left  to  the 
judgment  of  each  one,  to  practice  or  not. 

Article  VIII — Of  Depravity. 

We  believe  that  man  is  fallen  from  original  righteous- 
ness, and,  apart  from  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is  inclined 
to  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually;  and  that  ex- 
cept a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
heaven. 

Article  IX — Of  Justification. 

We  believe  that  penitent  sinners  are  justified  before 
God  only  by  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  not  by 
works;  yet  that  good  works  in  Christ  are  acceptable  to 
God,  and  spring  out  of  a  true  and  living  faith. 

Article  X — Of  Regeneration  and  Adoption. 

We  believe  that  regeneration  is  the  renewal  of  the 
heart  of  man  after  the  image  of  God,  through  the  Word, 
by  the  act  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  which  the  believer  re- 
ceives the  spirit  of  adoption,  and  is  enabled  to  serve 
God  with  the  will  and  the  affections. 


COM  KSSIO.N    OK   FAITH  15 

A7'ticle  XI — Of  SanvUflcation. 
We  believe  that  sanctification  is  the  work  of  God's 
grace,  through  the  Word  and  the  Spirit,  by  which  those 
who  have  been  born  again  are  separated  in  their  acts, 
words,  and  thoughts  from  sin,  and  are  enabled  to  live 
unto  God,  and  to  follow  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord. 

Article  XII— Of  the  Christian  Sabbath. 
We  believe  that  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  divinely  ap- 
pointed; that  it  is  commemorative  of  our  Lord's  resur- 
rection from  the  grave  and  is  an  emblem  of  our  eternal 
rest;  that  it  is  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  civil  com- 
munity, and  to  the  permanence  and  growth  of  the  Chris- 
tian church,  and  that  it  should  be  reverently  observed  as 
a  day  of  holy  rest  and  of  social  and  public  worship. 

Article  XIII~Of  the  Future  State. 
We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead;  the  future 
general  judgment;   and  an  eternal  state  of  rewards,  in 
which  the  righteous  dwell  in  endless  life,  and  the  wicked 
in  endless  punishment. 


CHAPTER  III 

Constitution 

In  the  name  of  God,  we,  the  members  of  the  Church 
OF  THE  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ,  for  the 
more  speedy  and  effectual  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  in 
order  to  produce  and  secure  uniformity  in  faith  and 
practice,  to  define  the  powers  and  business  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  as  recognized  by  this  Church,  and  to 
preserve  inviolate  the  popular  will  of  the  membership 
of  the  Church,  do  ordain  this  Constitution: 

A7'ticle  I 

Section  1,  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted  to 
enact  or  repeal  any  rule  or  rules  of  Discipline  is  vested  in 
a  General  Conference  which  shall  consist  of  elders  and 
laymen  elected  in  each  annual-conference  district 
throughout  the  Church.  The  number  and  ratio  of  elders 
and  laymen,  and  the  mode  of  their  election,  shall  be  de- 
termined by  the  General  Conference. 

Provided,  however.  That  such  elders  shall  have  stood 
as  elders  in  the  conferences  which  they  are  to  represent 
for  no  less  time  than  three  years  next  preceding  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Conference  to  which  they  are 
elected;  and  that  such  laymen  shall  be  not  less  than 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  shall  have  been  members 
of  the  Church  six  years,  and  members  in  the  conference 
districts  which  they  are  to  represent  at  least  three  years 
next  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  General  Conference 
to  which  they  are  elected. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  convene  every 
four  years,  and  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  dele- 
gates elected  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Sec.  3.  The  ministerial  and  lay  delegates  shall  delib- 
erate and  vote  together  as  one  body;  but  the  General 
Conference  shall  have  power  to  provide  for  a  vote  by 
separate  orders  whenever  it  deems  it  best  to  do  so;  and 
in  such  cases  the  concurrent  vote  of  both  orders  shall  be 
necessary  to  complete  an  action. 

IC 


(O.NSTITITIO-N  17 

Sec,  4.  The  General  Conference  shall  at  each  session, 
elect  bishops  from  among  the  elders  throughout  the 
Church  who  have  stood  six  years  in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  5.  The  bishops  shall  be  members  ex  officio  and 
presiding  officers  of  the  General  Conference;  but  in  case 
no  bishop  be  present,  the  Conference  shall  choose  a  presi- 
dent pro  tern. 

Sec.  6.  The  General  Conference  shall  determine  the 
number  and  boundaries  of  the  annual  conferences. 

Sec.  7.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
review  the  records  of  the  annual  conferences  and  see  that 
the  business  of  each  annual  conference  is  done  strictly  in 
accordance  with  the  Discipline,  and  approve  or  annul,  as 
the  case  may  require. 

Sec.  8.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  full  con- 
trol of  the  United  Brethren  Printing  Establishment,  the 
Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  (legal  successors  to  the  Home,  Frontier,  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ),  the  Church  Erection  Society,  the  general  Sab- 
bath School  Board,  the  Board  of  Education,  and  the 
Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary.  It  shall  also  have 
power  to  establish  and  manage  any  other  organization  or 
institution  within  the  Church  which  it  may  deem  helpful 
in  the  work  of  evangelization. 

Sec.  9.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
establish  a  court  of  appeals. 

Sec.  10.  The  General  Conference  may — two-thirds  of 
the  members  elected  thereto  concurring  —  propose 
changes  in,  or  additions  to  the  Confession  of  Faith;  pro- 
vided that  the  concurrence  of  three-fourths  of  the  annual 
conferences  shall  be  necessary  to  their  final  ratification. 

Article  II 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  as  pro- 
vided in  Article  I,  Section  1,  of  this  Constitution,  to 
make  rules  and  regulations  for  the  Church;  nevertheless, 
it  shall  be  subject  to  the  following  limitations  and  re- 
strictions: 

Section  1.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no 
rule  or  ordinance  which  will  change  or  destroy  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  and  shall  establish  no  standard  of  doc- 
trine contrary  to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 


18  DISCIPLINE 

Sh:c.  3.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  deprive  local  preachers  of  their  votes  in  the 
annual  conferences  to  which  they  severally  belong. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  abolish  the  right  of  appeal. 

Article  III 

SKCTiox  1.  We  declare  that  all  secret  combinations 
which  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  those  outside  their 
organization  and  whose  principles  and  practices  are  in- 
jurious to  the  Christian  character  of  their  members  are 
contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  Christians  ought 
to  have  no  connection  with  them. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to  enact 
such  rules  of  discipline  with  respect  to  such  combina- 
tions as  in  its  judgment  it  may  deem  proper. 

Sec.  2.  AVe  declare  that  human  slavery  is  a  violation 
of  human  rights  and  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God.  It 
shall  therefore  in  no  wise  be  tolerated  among  us. 

Article  IV 
The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all  property, 
both  real  and  personal,  of  whatever  name  or  description, 
obtained  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by  any  person  or 
persons,  for  the  use,  benefit,  and  behoof  of  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  are  hereby  fully  recog- 
nized, and  held  to  vest  in  the  Church  aforesaid. 

A7'ticle  V 

Section  1.  Amendments  to  this  Constitution  may  be 
proposed  by  any  General  Conference — two-thirds  of  the 
members  elected  thereto  concurring —  which  amendments 
shall  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  membership  through- 
out the  Church,  under  regulations  authorized  by  said 
conference. 

A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  any  submitted 
amendment  shall  be  necessary  to  its  final  ratification. 

Sec.  2.  The  foregoing  amended  Constitution  shall  be 
in  force  from  and  after  the  first  Monday  after  the  sec- 
ond Thursday  of  May,  1889,  upon  oflScial  proclamation 
thereof  by  the  board  of  bishops;  provided  that  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  elected  for  1889  shall  be  the  lawful 
legislative  body  under  the  amended  Constitution,  with 
full  power,  until  its  final  adjournment  to  enact  such 
rules  as  this  amended  Constitution  authorizes. 


PART  II 

Membership,   Government,  and  Ministry 

CHAPTER  IV 

Members. 

Section  I 

RECEPTIO.N   OF   ME.MI!E1JS 

1.  When  at  any  meeting  there  are  persons  who  desire 
to  unite  with  the  Church,  the  officiating  minister  shall 
call  the  applicants  forward  and  address  them  as  follows: 

Dear  FniEXDs:  Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves 
for  admission  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God 
you  have  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and 
have  been  made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation.  The 
privileges  you  seek  are  above  price,  and  the  duties  en- 
joined are  sacred.  It  is  proper  that  you  publicly  confess 
your  faith  and  avow  your  purpose  by  answering  the 
following  questions: 

Questions  to  Aiiplicants. 

2.  (1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of 
God,  and  that  therein  only  is  revealed  the  way  of  salva- 
tion? 

(2)  Do  you  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of 
God,  and  do  you  accept  him  as  your  personal  Savior? 

(3)  Are  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodliness,  seeking 
to  lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  to  God  and  his 
cause? 

(4)  Are  you  willing  to  be  governed  by  our  Church 
Discipline? 

( 5 )  Will  you  study  prayerfully  to  know  your  duty  as 
a  Christian  steward,  and  will  you  contribute  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  gospel  as  God  prospers  you? 

(6)  Have  you  been  baptized? 

[If  the  answer  to  this  question  be  in  the  negative,  then 
the  applicant  shall  be  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as 
soon  as  practicable.] 

Acceptance  of  Applicant. 

3.  If  the  persons  answer  the  above*  questions  in  the 
affirmative,   and   no   lawful   objections   be   made   by   any 

19 


20  DiscjrM.i.xi-: 

member,  then  the  preacher  shall  give  his  right  hand  to 
such  persons  as  members  of  our  Church.  Then  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  Vill  stand,  and  the  minister  will  re- 
peat this  covenant,  as  follows:  "Do  you,  the  members  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  enter  into 
a  covenant  with  this  applicant  [or  these  applicants]  for 
membership,  and  promise  to  watch  over,  instruct,  coun- 
sel, and  cherish  him  [or  her  or  them]  with  all  long- 
suffering,  gentleness,  and  "love?"  The  Church  will  then 
answer,  "By  the  grace  of  God,  we  wall."  After  which  the 
hand  of  fellowship  may  be  extended.  The  preacher  shall 
then  register  the  names  of  the  accepted  members  in  the 
Church  record. 

Committee  on  Applicants  for  Membership. 

4.  A  local  church,  when  it  deems  it  advisable  for  its 
protection  against  imposition,  may  appoint  a  committee 
on  applicants  for  membership,  who.  together  with  the 
pastor,  may  make  inquiry  as  to  the  advisability  of  admit- 
ting such  applicants  to  membership  in  the  Church  ac- 
cording to  the  foregoing  requirements. 

Receiving  Children. 

5.  We  hold  that  little  children  are  of  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Pastors  are  authorized  to  baptize  the  children  of 
Christian  parents,  parent  or  other  person  sustaining 
such  relationship,  and  to  enroll  them  under  the  watch- 
care  of  the  Church,  provided  proper  consent  of  such  par- 
ent or  guardian  be  secured;  and  wiien  they  shall  give 
evidence  of  understanding  the  obligation  of  the  Chris- 
tiian  life,  and  shall  publicly  confess  Christ  as  their  per-, 
sonal  Savior,  they  shall  be  received  into  full  membership 
of  the  Church.  Pastors  are  required  to  instruct  children 
in  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  principles  and  duties  of  the 
Christian  life. 

jReceiving  Persons  from   Other  Churches 

6.  When  persons  come  to  us  with  certificates  of  good 
standing  in  other  recognized  evangelical  churches,  they 
shall  answer  the  fourth  and  fifth  questions  affirmatively, 
and  the  hand  of  fellowship  may  be  given  them  as  in 
other  cases. 

Seekers. 

7.  Any  persons  giving  evidence  that  they  are  sincerely 
seeking  the  Lord  may  be  received  under  the  watch  care 


mi:mi)i:i;.s  21 

of  the  Church  by  having  their  names  placed  upon  the 
church  book,  but  shall  not  be  reported  as  members,  nor 
shall  they  have  a  vote  in  the  Church  until  they  shall 
have  conformed  to  the  conditions  in  this  section  relating 
to  the  reception  of  members. 

S.  If  any  person  thus  received  under  the  watch  care 
of  the  Church  shall  cease  to  manifest  a  desire  to  seek  the 
Lord,  the  preacher  in  charge,  by  the  consent  of  the  local 
church  or  the  official  board,  may,  at  any  time,  after  per- 
sonal but  unsuccessful  labor  for  his  salvation,  drop  the 
name  of  such  seeker. 

Preacher's  Responsibility. 

9.  Any  preacher  refusing  or  neglecting  to  ask  the 
foregoing  questions,  except  in  the  case  of  children,  or 
who  shall  receive  members  into  the  Church  in  violation 
of  this  order,  shall  be  answerable  for  the  same  to  the 
conference  of  which  he  is  a  member. 


Section  II 

DUTIES  OF  MEMBERS. 

Means  of  Grace. 

1.  Every  member  shall  endeavor  to  lead  a  godly  life; 
observe  the  ordinances  of  God's  house,  namely,  baptism 
and  the  remembrance  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ;  be  diligent  in  prayer,  particularly  in 
private,  and  for  his  own  edification  attend  our  prayer 
meetings,  class  meetings,  and  meetings  for  public  wor- 
ship. 

Family  Piety. 

2.  Heads  of  families  should  never  omit  to  pray  with 
their  families,  morning  and  evening,  and  to  set  them  a 
good  example  in  all  the  Christian  virtues. 

i^ingiiuj. 

3.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  the  people  of  God  to  sing  his 
praises,  and  to  sing  them  in  the  great  congregation  as 
well  as  in  the  private  circle.  It  is  therefore  earnestly 
advised  that  all  our  people  cultivate  vocal  music  so  that 
the  singing  in  our  congregations  may  be  improved.  As 
a  help  to  this  end,  let  all  our  people  provide  themselves 
with  hymn-books  for  use  in  public  and  social  worship. 


Discipi.ixi-: 


Love  to  Others. 


4.  Every  one  should  strive  to  walk  as  in  the  presence 
of  God,  and  accustom  himself  to  a  close  communion 
with  God  in  all  his  employments.  He  should  never  speak 
evil  of  his  fellow  men,  but  practice  love  toward  friend 
and  foe,  do  good  to  the  poor,  and  endeavor  to  be  a  fol- 
lower of  Jesus  Christ  indeed. 

Sabbath  Observance. 

5.  Every  one  shall  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy,  as  re- 
quired in  the  Word  of  God;  neither  buy  nor  sell,  but 
spend  the  same  in  exercises  of  devotion,  in  reading  and 
hearing  the  Word  of  God,  and  in  singing  spiritual  hymns 
to  the  honor  and  glory  of  God. 

Obedience  to  Government. 

6.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to  lead  a  quiet, 
peaceable,  and  godly  life  among  men;  as  it  becomes  a 
Christian  to  live  in  peace  and  be  subject  to  the  higher  or 
ruling  powers,  as  the  Word  of  God  requires. 

Sunday  Schools. 

7.  It  is  the  duty  of  our  members  to  encourage  our 
Sunday  schools  by  their  presence,  and  always  to  give 
them  their  aid  and  influence. 

Young  People's  Society. 

8.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  young  members  of  the  Church 
to  join  the  Young  People's  society  and  by  faithfulness 
to  its  requirements  seek  to  develop  Christian  character 
and  efficiency  in  Christian  work. 

Support  of  the  Gospel. 

9.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  members  of  the  Church  to  pay 
weekly  toward  the  support  of  the  itinerant  ministry,  in 
proportion  to  their  ability,  as  God  has  prospered  them; 
for  the  Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  who  preach  the 
gospel  shall  live  of  the  gospel.  (I  Cor.  9:14;  I  Tim. 
5:18.)  It  is  earnestly  urged  that  all  our  people  practice 
the  Bible  method  of  giving.  "Upon  the  first  day  of  the 
week  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God 
hath  prospered  him."  (I  Cor.  16:2.)  It  is  also  their 
duty  to  contribute  according  to  their  ability  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  various  benevolent  interests  of  the  Church. 


MKMISKRS  23 

Delhiquent  Memhers. 

10.  Any  member  refusing  to  pay  toward  the  support 
of  the  Church  may  be  reported  by  the  steward  to  the  class 
or  official  board,  and,  if  refusal  is  persisted  in,  may  be 
suspended  or  expelled,  as  the  local  church  or  official 
board  may  determine.  In  case  a  member  is  suspended, 
all  his  privileges  and  functions  as  a  member  of  the 
Church  cease  during  such  suspension. 

lieceiving  Ministers. 

11.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  districts,  statio;is,  circuits, 
and  missions  cheerfully  to  receive  the  preachers  ap- 
pointed by  the  stationing"  committees  of  the  respective 
conferences. 

Care  of  the  Poor. 

12.  Each  member  of  our  Church  should  willingly  and 
freely  contribute  quarterly,  or  oftener  if  need  be,  as  God 
has  prospered  him  (I  Cor.  16:2),  to  the  support  of  the 
helpless  poor. 

13.  When  it  is  known  by  any  of  our  class-leaders 
that  there  are  poor  members  of  the  class,  who  by  sick- 
ness, accident,  or  other  circumstances  have  been  brought 
to  want,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  leader  in  charge  to 
wait  upon  the  class,  or  to  appoint  some  one  to  do  so,  to 
ask  such  aid,  money,  clothing,  or  produce,  as  the  circum- 
stances may  require.  Should  any  one  class  be  unable  to 
relieve  its  poor,  this  shall  then  be  made  known  to  the 
pastor,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  inform  the  different 
classes  on  his  charge ;  and  if  it  should  so  happen  that  any 
one  charge  should  be  unable  to  meet  the  wants  of  the 
poor,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  conference  superintend- 
ent to  present  the  matter  to  the  quarterly  conferences  of 
the  different  charges,  so  that  the  unavoidably  poor  of 
our  Church  may  be  provided  for,  (I  John  3:17;  Ps.  12: 
1,2.) 

Noneonformity  to  the  World. 

14.  Inasmuch  as  the  Lord  has  commanded  us  not  to  be 
conformed  to  this  world  (Rom.  12:2),  but  to  lay  apart 
all  filthiness  and  superfluity  of  naughtiness  (Jas.  1:21), 
and  as  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  as  taught 
by  both  the  precepts  and  example  of  the  meek  and  ador- 
able Savior,  are  in  strict  and  perfect  accordance   with 


24  DISriPLINE 

these  commandments,  we  therefore  humbly  beseech  and 
admonish  the  members  of  our  Church  to  observe  these 
divine  precepts.  "In  like  manner,  also,  that  women 
adorn  themselves  in  modest  apparel,  with  shamefaced- 
ness  and  sobriety;  not  with  broided  hair,  or  gold,  or 
pearls,  or  costly  array;  but  (which  becometh  women  pro- 
fessing godliness)  with  good  works"  (I  Tim.  2:9,  10); 
and  "whose  adorning  let  it  not  be  that  outward  adorning 
of  plaiting  the  hair,  and  of  wearing  of  gold,  or  of  putting 
on  of  apparel;  but  let  it  be  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart, 
in  that  which  is  not  corruptible,  even  the  ornament  of  a 
meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of 
great  price"   (I  Pet.  3:3,  4.)  \ 

Necessity   of    Union   Among    Ourselves. 

15.  Let  us  be  deeply  sensible  of  the  evil  of  a  division 
in  principle,  spirit,  or  practice,  and  of  its  dreadful  conse- 
quences to  ourselves  and  others.  If  we  are  united,  what 
can  stand  before  us?  If  we  are  divided,  we  shall  injure 
ourselves,  the  work  of  God,  and  the  souls  of  men.  There- 
fore, 

(1)  Let  us  be  deeply  convinced  of  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  union. 

(2)  Let  us  pray  earnestly  for  one  another,  and  speak 
truly  and  freely  to  one  another. 

(3)  When  we  meet,  let  us  not  part  without  prayer, 
if  prayer  is  at  all  practicable. 

(4)  Let  us  take  great  care  not  to  despise  one  an- 
other's gifts. 

(5)  Let  us  never  speak  lightly  of  one  another. 

(6)  Let  us  defend  one  another's  character  in  every- 
thing, as  far  as  is  consistent  with  truth. 

(7)  Let  us  labor,  in  honor  each  preferring  another 
before  himself. 

(8)  Let  us  seriously  examine  the  causes,  evils,  and 
cures  of  heart  and  church  divisions. 

Duty  of  Obedience. 

IG.  The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up  for  the  better 
regulation  of  our  Church,  and  we  believe  that  they  are 
founded  upon  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  their  observance 
is  incumbent  upon  all  members.  Should  any  violate  or 
habitually  neglect  these  rules,  they  shall  be  admonished 
to  reformation  by  the  respective  class-leaders,  and  should 


me:mdkrs  25 

they  not  reform,  they  shall  be  dealt  with  according  to 
Chapter  IV,  Section  III,  paragraph  3. 


Section  III 

TRIAL  OF   :\[EMBERS. 

Personal  Trespass. 

1.  When  members  trespass  against  one  another,  let 
the  following  directions  be  followed:  , 

■'If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell 
him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone;  if  he  shall 
hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will 
not  hear  thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more  .  .  . 
And  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the 
church;  but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be 
unto  thee  as  an  heathen  man  and  a  publican"  (Matt. 
18:15-17);  that  is,  he  shall  be  expelled  by  the  local 
church  or  official  board. 

Immoral  Conduct. 

2.  In  case  of  a  member  accused  of  immoral  conduct, 
the  class  or  official  board  shall  appoint  one  or  more  to 
visit  the  accused  person,  and  if  possible  reclaim  him; 
but  if  unsuccessful,  and  the  guilt  be  denied,  he  shall  be 
tried  by  a  committee  of  said  class  or  board  chosen  by 
the  parties  concerned,  with  the  preacher  in  charge  of  the 
circuit  or  station  as  chairman;  and,  if  found  guilty,  the 
accused  shall  be  expelled  unless  satisfaction  be  given. 
If  the  accused  refuse  to  choose  his  committeeman  when 
properly  notified,  the  quarterly  conference  shall  choose 
a  second  person,  and  these  two  a  third,  which  committee 
shall  try  the  case  and  decide.  Yet  cases  may  occur 
where  it  would  be  expedient  to  choose  a  committee  from 
some  other  class  or  classes  than  the  one  to  which  the 
parties  belong,  in  which  case  it  shall  be  lawful  to  do  so. 
Also,  an  elder  may  be  chosen  as  chairman,  should  the 
preacher  in  charge  deem  this  to  be  best.  Should  any 
member  be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision,  an  appeal  may 
be  had  to  the  quarterly  conference,  by  giving  notice 
thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  secretary  of  the 
committee.  (See  Chapter  X.  Section  I.)  In  such  cases, 
however,  the  same  persons  shall  not  sit  in  judgment  on 
the  same  case. 


2G  DTSCIl'l.I.NK 

Disohedience  to  the  Order  of  the  Church. 

3.  In  cases  of  neglect  of  duty  of  any  kind,  imprudent 
conduct,  indulging  sinful  tempers  or  words,  or  disobedi- 
ence to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church:  First, 
let  private  reproof  be  given  by  the  preacher  or  leader; 
and  if  there  be  an  acknowledgment  of  the  fault,  proper 
humiliation,  and  a  promise  to  reform,  the  person  may  be 
borne  with.  On  a  second  offense,  the  preacher  or  leader 
shall  take  with  him  one  or  two  faithful  members.  On  a 
third  offense,  let  the  case  be  brought  before  the  local 
church,  official  board,  or  a  select  committee;  and  if  there 
be  no  satisfactory  humiliation,  the  offender  shall  be  ex- 
pelled by  vote  of  the  local  church  or  official  board.  In 
case  the  accused  shall  deny  his  guilt  and  demand  a  trial, 
and  there  be  a  reasonable  doubt  or  question  about  his 
guilt,  he  shall  be  tried  by  a  committee,  and,  if  found 
guilty,  he  shall  be  expelled.  In  case  of  trial  under  this 
clause,  the  leader  shall  act  in  behalf  of  the  local  church; 
or,  if  the  leader  be  the  offender,  the  steward  shall  act  as 
prosecutor. 

Disputes. 

4.  In  case  of  a  dispute  between  members  or  preachers, 
the  preacher  to  whom  it  shall  be  known  shall  inquire 
into  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and,  if  necessary, 
shall  recommend  to  the  contending  parties  a  reference 
to  a  committee  consisting  of  one  arbiter  chosen  by  the 
plaintiff,  and  another  by  the  defendant,  and  a  third  by 
these  two;  then  these  three  are  to  decide.  But,  if  the 
preacher  to  whom  the  dispute  is  known  shall  refuse  or 
neglect  to  act,  then  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint 
some  one  to  carry  out  the  rule;  and,  if  either  or  both 
disputants  refuse  to  choose  an  arbiter,  the  quarterly 
conference  shall  appoint  the  first  and  second,  and  these 
two  a  third,  who  shall  hear  the  case  and  decide. 

Right  of  Appeal. 

5.  Should  either  party  be  dissatisfied  with  the  de- 
cision, an  appeal  may  be  taken  to  the  next  quarterly 
conference  for  a  second  arbitration,  where  each  party 
shall  choose  two  arbiters,  and  the  four  shall  choose  a 
fifth,  a  decision  of  a  majority  of  whom  shall  be  final. 
Any  member  refusing  to  abide  by  this  decision  shall  be 
expelled  without  further  trial.  Members  of  the  church 
or  congregation  who  are  present  at  a  local  church  trial, 


MEMBERS  2 . 

t)iit  take  no  part  in  said  trial,  are  not  disqualjfied  because 
of  said  presence  from  sitting  on  the  case,  ffan  appeal  is 
taken  from  the  decision  reached  by  said  church. 

Going  to  Laic  Forbidden. 

6.  Any  member  refusing,  in  case  of  debt,  or  dispute, 
to  refer  the  matter  to  arbitration  when  recommended  to 
him  by  a  preacher  or  leader,  or  who  shall  enter  into  law- 
suit with  another  member  before  these  measures  are 
taken,  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  the  case  of  other  im- 
moralities, except  when  the  case  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to 
require  and  justify  a  process  at  law,  as  in  acting  as  ad- 
ministrators, or  when  a  member  is  in  danger,  by  delay, 
of  suffering  a  loss  of  property. 

Record  of  Trials. 

7.  A  faithful  record  of  the  proceedings  of  any  church 
trial  conducted  in  a  local  church  shall  be  kept  by  the 
church  clerk  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose;  and  it 
shall  be  his  duty,  in  case  of  an  appeal,  to  furnish  his 
record  to  the  quarterly  conference. 

Order  in  Trials. 

8.  All  church  trials  shall  be  conducted  in  a  consistent 
Christian  manner,  without  the  employment  of  magis- 
trates and  attorneys  to  administer  oaths  and  conduct 
investigations. 

Section  IV 

TRANSFER    AND    WITHDRAWAL    OF    MEMBERS 

Certificate  of  Transfer  of  Members. 

1.  AVhen  a  member  of  our  Church  removes  from  one 
pastoral  charge  to  another,  he  shall  obtain  a  certificate  of 
transfer  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  membership,  or  official 
board,  of  the  local  church  of  which  he  is  a  member, 
signed  by  the  pastor,  or  if  there  is  no  pastor,  by  the 
class-leader,  the  certificate  to  be  in  the  form  of  Chapter 
XXXII,  Section  I,  No.  1  of  our  Book  of  Discipline. 

Transfer  of  yon-Resident  Members. 

2.  In  case  any  member  of  our  Church  who  does  not 
reside  in  reach  of  a  local  church  shall  make  application 
to  the  pastor  for  a  certificate  of  transfer,  the  pastor  may 
Issue  such  certificate  to  said  member  if  his  Christian  life 


28  DISC  Il'I. INK 

is  known  to  be  good,  and  he  has  settled  all  his  church 
dues,  subscriptions,  and  assessments. 

Notice  of  Forwarding  Certificates. 

3.  The  pastor  who  issues  a  certificate  of  transfer  as 
provided  in  either  of  the  preceding  sections  shall,  if  prac- 
ticable, forward  such  certificate,  with  proper  notice  and 
explanation  to  the  pastor  of  the  charge  to  which  the 
member  receiving  the  certificate  shall  remove.  In  case 
we  have  no  church  in  the  locality  to  which  a  member 
removes,  the  pastor  shall  report  the  name  to  the  confer- 
ence superintendent,  or  bishop,  or  home  missionary 
secretary. 

Notice  of  Reception  of  Members  on  Certificate. 

4.  When  a  pastor  shall  have  received  a  member  on  a 
certificate  of  transfer,  he  shall  notify  the  pastor,  or  class- 
leader,  of  the  local  church  from  which  it  was  issued,  and 
said  pastor,  or  leader,  shall  enter  on  the  church  record 
opposite  the  name  of  the  transferred  member,  the  words, 
"Removed  by  certificate  of  transfer." 

Certificate  of  Recommendation. 
Tj.  When  a  member  of  our  Church  shall  remove  from 
one  of  our  pastoral  charges  to  another,  and  shall  make 
application  to  the  pastor  for  a  letter  of  recommendation 
by  which  he  may  unite  either  with  one  of  our  local 
churches  or  with  another  evangelical  church,  said  mem- 
ber may  be  entitled  to  receive  such  certificate  of  recom- 
mendation by  a  majority  vote  of  the  membership,  or 
official  board  of  the  local  church  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, signed  by  the  pastor,  or,  if  there  is  no  pastor,  by  the 
class-leader;  provided,  that  the  good  standing  of  said 
member  is  evidenced  by  the  settlement  of  all  his  church 
dues,  subscriptions,  and  assessments,  and  by  his  observ- 
ance of  the  rules  of  our  Church  pertaining  to  the  "Duties 
of  Members"  contained  in  Chapter  IV,  Section  II,  of  our 
Discipline,  said  certificate  to  be  in  the  form  of  Chapter 
XXXII,  Section  I,  No.  2,  of  our  Discipline. 

Limitation  of  Certificates. 
6.  A  certificate  issued  to  a  member  of  our  Church  as 
provided  in  either  of  the  preceding  sections  must  be  pre- 
sented to  some  local  church,  or  returned  to  the  church  by 
which  it  was  granted,  within  eighteen  months;  otherwise 
it  becomes  null  and  void. 


29 


Amcnnhility  of  Certified  Member. 

7.  A  member  receiving  a  certificate  of  transfer,  or  rec- 
ommendation, shall  remain  a  member  of  the  local  church 
bj^  which  it  was  granted  until  said  certificate  is  deposited 
with  some  other  local  church,  or  until  the  certificate  ex- 
pires by  limitation. 

Disposal  of  Delinquent  yon-Resident  Members. 

8.  In  case  a  member  moves  from  a  pastoral  charge  and 
fails  to  report  to  the  local  church  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, at  least  once  each  conference  year,  he  may  be 
marked  "Removed  without  certificate." 

Certificate  of  Withdrauah 

9.  If  a  member  of  our  Church  desires  to  withdraw 
from  the  Church,  and  his  Christian  life  has  been  good, 
and  he  has  settled  all  his  church  dues,  subscriptions,  and 
assessments,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of  honor- 
able withdraw^al  from  the  Church  by  a  majority  vote  of 
the  membership,  or  official  board  of  the  local  church  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  signed  by  the  pastor,  or,  if  there 
is  no  pastor,  by  the  class-leader,  said  certificate  to  be  in 
the  form  of  Chapter  XXXII,  Section  I,  No.  3,  of  our  Dis- 
cipline. 

Membership    of   Preachers   Required. 

1 0.  All  quarterly-  and  annual-conference  preachers  are 
required  to  hold  membership  in  some  local  United  Breth- 
rf'u  church  and  upon  neglect  or  refusal  to  do  so  shall 
I'-e  their  official  relation.  Annual-conference  preachers 
-liall  report  yearly  to  the  committee  on  conference  rela- 
tions the  place  of  their  church  membership.  Such  preach- 
ers shall  be  subject  to  all  the  provisions  of  the  Discipline 
iclating  to  the  transfer  of  membership. 


CHAPTER  V 

G()VKHx:\rKXT  of  tiik  Chirc  it. 
Section  I 

CHURCHES. 

Local  Church  Organization. 

1.  A  local  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
may  be  organized,  where  not  already  established,  by  any 
regularly  authorized  minister  or  missionary  of  the  de- 
nomination, who  shall  enroll  the  names  of  not  less  than 
five  resident  persons  in  a  book  of  record,  giving  to  each 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  causing  one  or  more 
class-leaders  to  be  elected  and  appointing  one  or  more 
stewards.' 

Division  into  Classes. 

2.  A  local  church  may  be  divided  into  two  or  more 
classes,  if  deemed  proper  to  do  so,  by  the  pas- 
tor and  official  board.  Near  the  close  of  the  official  year 
each  class  shall  elect  its  leader.  Where  the  Church  so 
decides,  the  leaders  may  be  chosen  by  vote  of  the  entire 
church.  After  such  division  the  word  "class"  shall  de- 
note only  a  section  of  the  local  church. 

Membership  Promotional  Groups. 

3.  For  promoting  the  spiritual,  educational,  and  finan-. 
cial  interests  of  the  local  church  and  of  the  denomination, 
the  membership  of  the  local  church  may  be  arranged  in 
groups,  with  a  leader  for  each  group.  The  grouping 
may  be  by  families,  arranged  geographically  and  numeri- 
cally so  as  to  be  conveniently  and  effectively  served  by 
the  leaders.  Non-resident  members  should  constitute 
a  group  to  be  reached  by  correspondence.  The  grouping 
and  the  appointing  of  leaders  should  be  done  by  the 
pastor  and  a  promotional  committee.  This  committee, 
consisting  of  from  three  to  seven  members,  should  be 
elected  by  the  official  board  or  quarterly  conference  at 
its  last  session  for  the  year. 

The  promotional  committee  and  the  membership-group 
leaders  should  inform  themselves  about  the  work  of  the 


^NoTE. — Until  the  congregation  thus  constituted  becomes  so 
large  as  to  .require  dividing  into  classes  or  sections,  for  pur- 
poses of  convenience  and  efficiency,  the  words  "church, "'  "con- 
gregation," and  "class"  shall  denote  the  same  aggregate  church 
membership. 

30 


GO\fc:RN:MK.\T    OF    THE    CIirRCII  31 

local  church  and  of  the  denomination,  and  seek  to  de- 
velop the  spiritual  and  social  life  of  the  church  by  visit- 
ing the  members,  holding  group  prayer  meetings,  dis- 
tributing literature,  studying  stewardship  and  missions, 
and  by  such  other  means  as  the  pastor  and  the  promo- 
tional committee  may  suggest.  The  membership  group 
should  be  especially  helpful  in  evangelistic  work. 

DisMnding  Churches. 
4.  When  a  quarterly  conference  deems  it  impracti- 
cable to  maintain  the  organization  of  a  church  in  any 
place,  it  shall  instruct  its  representatives  to  present  the 
matter  to  the  annual  conference  for  its  consideration. 
In  no  case  shall  a  quarterly  conference  disband  a  church 
without  the  consent  of  the  annual  conference.  When  a 
church  is  disbanded,  the  remaining  members  shall  be 
transferred  by  the  pastor  to  such  church  or  churches 
as  they  may  desire. 

Section  II 

CLASS-LEADERS. 

Qualificati07is. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  leader's  duty  to  live  a  pious  life  and 
set  a  godly  example  before  his  class;  carefully  to  study 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  fully  qualifying  himself  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  duties  as  a  leader  and  coun- 
selor of  his  class. 

Holding  Meetings. 

2.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  meet  his  class  in  class- 
meeting  or  prayer-meeting  as  often  as  practicable,  to 
speak  to  them  concerning  their  spiritual  welfare,  and  to 
exhort  them  to  unity  and  love.  He  shall  extend  the  free- 
dom of  our  prayer-  and  class-meetings  to  all  sincere  and 
well-disposed  persons  who  may  desire  to  attend  them. 

Visiting  the  Sick  and  Delinquent. 

3.  When  any  of  his  members  are  sick,  or  delinquent 
in  the  performance  of  their  duties,  he  shall  visit  them 
and  labor  with  them  as  circumstances  may  require,  or  ar- 
range for  someone  else  to  do  so. 

Class   Record 

4.  He  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  members  of  the  class, 
and  shall  make  regular  reports  of  his  work  and  the  con- 


32  DISCIPLINE 

cUtion   of   his  class  to   the   official   board  and  quarterl; 
conference. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 
5      Any  class-leader  failing  to  discharge  these  duti. 
may,  on  'complaint,  be  removed  by  the  quarterly  cont. 
ence. 


Section  III 

CLAvSS-STEWARDS. 

1  Every  church  shall  have  one  or  more  class-st. 
ards  to  be  chosen  annually,  within  the  last  quarter 
the  conference  year,  by  the  church  upon  nominatioi 
the  pastor  and  official  board.  On  circuits,  there  shaP 
a  general  steward  chosen  annually  by  the  quarterly  < 
ference. 

Contributions  to  Budget. 
9  All  members  shall  contribute  weekly,  through 
velopes,  to  the  local  budget.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
financial  secretary  to  "receive  the  envelopes,  keep  a 
rect  record  of  names  and  amounts  paid,  and  report 
same  to  the  official  board  monthly.  He  shall  fun 
each  steward,  at  the  end  of  each  month,  a  list  of 
names  of  those  who  are  delinquent  in  payment, 
statement  of  the  amount  due  from  each.  The  stev.Mruc 
shall  then  endeavor  to  secure  prompt  payment  of  ^^  ^5 
deficits.  ^  "^ 

In  case  of  circuits,  where  weekly  services  are  not  i 
the  contributions  to  the  local  budget  shall  approach, 
weekly  method  as  nearly  as  possible.  The  stewards  s; 
keep  an  accurate  account  of  the  payments  made  by  t 
respective  lists  of  members,  and  shall  report  the  e 
monthly  to  the  financial  secretary,  who  shall  repoi 
the  quarterly  conference. 

Elements  for  the  Lord's  Supper. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  stewards  to  provide 
elements  for  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  ah 
securing  unfermented  wine. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 

4.  For  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties  as  s 
ards,  they  shall  be  accountable  to  the  quarterly  cor 


GOVEKN-MK-NT    OF    THE    CHURCH  oo 

ence,  which  shall  have  power  to  dismiss  them  for  official 
delinquency. 


Section  IV 

CHURCH    DEACOXS. 

Every  church  may  have  one  or  more  deacons,  who 
shall  be  elected  annually  by  vote  of  the  church.  The 
duties  of  a  deacon  shall  be  to  collect  funds  for  the  needy, 
as  provided  for  in  Chapter  IV,  Section  II,  paragraph  13, 
of  the  Discipline,  under  Duties  of  Members,  and  disburse 
the  same  under  the  direction  of  a  committee  appointed 
by  the  official  board,  or,  where  the  local  church  board  is 
lot  organized,  under  the  direction  of  the  pastor. 


Section  V. 

ciiTiJcii  clerk. 

A  church  clerk  may  be  elected  by  the  local  church  or 
)fficial  board,  who  shall  be  the  pastor's  clerical  assistant 
md  work  under  his  direction. 

ynj  Section  VI 

ritiW  OFFICIAL   BOARD. 

■■'"  1.  The  business  affairs  of  each  church  shall  be  dele- 
gated to  an  official  board,  except  as  otherwise  provided 
■■■V  the  Discipline.  On  circuits,  the  official  boards  of  the 
.ble^j^rious  churches  included  shall  compose  the  quarterly 
"^■^conference.  The  properly  recognized  members  of  the 
i'^'^fiuarterly  conference  shall  be  the  members  of  the  official 
'I'j^oard  of  each  local  church.  On  both  stations  and  circuits, 
oniij^ie  official  board  shall  have  power  to  transact  the  busi- 
?oi  iiess  of  the  church  which  it  represents. 
(  2.     The  pastor  shall  be  the  president  of  the  board;  in 

[  his  absence  one  of  the  members  shall  be  elected  president 
'  I  ro  tern.  The  sessions  shall  begin  and  close  with  devo- 
•ofUtJional  exercises. 

B^B^  3.     The  board  shall  elect  a  secretary  who  shall  keep 

a  record  of  its  proceedings.    It  shall  also  elect  a  financial 

.secretary  who  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  members  of 

the  church   together   with   the   amounts   they   subscribe 

-wohnd  contribute  to  the  current  expense  budget  and  the 

-lolbenevolence  budget.     He  shall  receive  from  the  general 


34  IMSlIPLINE 

steward  or  stewards  the  moneys  paid  in,  and  after  re- 
cording the  amounts  shall  transmit  the  same  to  the 
treasurer. 

The  official  board  shall  also  elect  a  treasurer  (not  the 
financial  secretary)  who  shall  receive  the  funds  of  the 
church,  paying  them  out  as  directed  by  the  official 
board;  provided,  however,  that  where  it  is  deemed  ad- 
visable, a  separate  treasurer  may  be  elected  for  benevo- 
lence funds.  The  treasurer  shall  keep  a  complete  record 
of  all  financial  transactions  belonging  to  the  local  church. 
Benevolence  funds  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  conference 
treasurer  monthly. 

On  circuits,  the  quarterly  conference  may  elect  a  finan- 
cial secretary  and  treasurer  whose  duties  shall  include 
the  care  of  all  funds,  both  current  expense  and  benev- 
olent, which  belong  to  the  whole  charge. 

4.  The  official  board  shall  receive  statements  of  all 
subscriptions  and  moneys  received  and  disbursed  for  the 
interest  of  the  local  church;  and  all  persons  intrusted 
with  moneys  or  subscriptions,  whether  trustees,  stewards, 
the  treasurer,  or  others,  shall  report  the  same  to  the 
official  meeting  as  soon  as  possible. 

5.  It  shall  receive  from  each  class-leader  a  statement 
in  reference  to  the  religious  condition  of  his  class. 

6.  The  official  boards  shall  appoint  a  finance  commit- 
tee for  the  charge,  unless  otherwise  specifically  ordered 
by  the  quarterly  conference,  as  provided  in  Chapter  V, 
Section  VII,  paragraph  13.  Said  committee  shall  not  less 
than  thirty  days  before  the  close  of  the  conference  year, 
make  a  budget  of  the  expenses  of  the  charge  for  the 
coming  year — the  preacher's  salary,  the  conference 
superintendent's  salary,  sexton  hire,  cost  of  light,  fuel, 
insurance,  and  any  other  ordinary  expenses  incident  to 
the  year's  general  account.  It  shall  also  determine  how 
these  funds  are  to  be  secured — whether  by  assessments 
or  subscription,  and  whether  by  envelope  collections 
made  weekly  or  by  the  class-stewards,  or  both, — what 
percent  is  to  be  devoted  to  the  salaries  of  the  preacher 
and  the  conference  superintendent;  and  what  percent 
to  the  current  expenses  of  the  charge. 

7.  The  official  board  shall  correct  the  church  records, 
as  provided  in  Chapter  VII,  Section  II,  paragraph  4, 
and  shall  be  the  body  to  grant  transfers  and  dismissals 
from  the  Church. 


GOVLK^M^:^■T  of  the  chlkch  do 

8.  The  official  board  on  stations  shall  meet  once  a 
month,  and  on  circuits  at  the  call  of  the  pastor. 

9.  The  official  board  may  appoint  an  executive  coun- 
cil, of  which  the  pastor  shall  be  chairman,  to  act  for  the 
church  in  matters  committed  to  it. 

10.  The  official  board,  at  its  last  regular  meeting  pre- 
ceding the  meeting  of  the  annual  conference,  shall  elect 
an  auditing  committee  for  the  church,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  audit  annually  the  books  of  all  treasurers. 

Review  hy  Quarterly  Conference. 
11.     The  acts  of  the  official  boards  shall  be  reviewed 
by  the  quarterly  conference. 

Section  VII 

QUARTERLY    CONFERENCE, 

Memhers. 

1.  The  members  of  the  quarterly  conference  shall  be 
the  superintendent  of  the  district,  the  preacher  in  charge, 
and  all  properly  recognized  preachers,  deaconnesses, 
class-leaders,  class-stewards,  and  other  stewards  whose 
appointments  have  been  ratified  by  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence; church  clerks  properly  recognized  by  the  church, 
official  board,  or  quarterly  conference;  trustees  of 
church  and  parsonage  houses;  superintendents  of  Sun- 
day schools,  presidents  of  Brotherhoods,  Young  People's 
societies,  Women's  Aid  societies,  Women's  Missionary 
Associations,  Otterbein  Guilds,  superintendents  of  Junior 
and  Intermediate  societies,  and  all  treasurers  of  such 
organizations,  when  said  persons  are  members  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  and  reside 
vsithin  the  bounds  of  the  station  or  circuit,  or  hold  mem- 
bership therein.  Such  members  as  are  present  at  any 
regular  meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  trans- 
action of  business. 

For  stations,  the  conference  superintendent  may  desig- 
nate and  announce  certain  meetings  of  the  official  board 
as  quarterly  conference  sessions,  and  at  such  meetings 
the  regular  business  of  the  quarterly  conference  as  indi- 
cated in  the  Discipline  may  be  transacted. 

Duties  and  Poicers. 

2.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  open  and  close  with 
prayer. 


36  DISCIIT.IXK 

3.  In  the  absence  of  the  conference  superintendent, 
the  quarterly  conference  shall  elect  a  chairman  pro  tern., 
whose  official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

4.  It  shall  elect  a  secretary,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  keep  a  correct  record  of  all  its  proceedings  in  a  book 
provided  for  that  purpose,  in  which  the  names  of  all 
the  members  composing  the  said  conference  shall  be 
entered, 

5.  It  shall  make  inquiry  into  the  moral  deportment 
and  official  character  of  all  its  members. 

6.  It  shall  enforce  discipline  in  all  the  churches  un- 
der its  jurisdiction,  but  in  no  case  disband  a  church  un- 
less the  preliminary  steps  have  been  taken  as  required 
in  Chapter  V,  Section  I,  paragraph  3. 

7.  It  shall  hear  the  reports  of  the  stewards,  and  make 
settlement  with  the  pastor. 

8.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  be  amenable  to  the 
annual  conference  for  its  official  acts. 

Appeals  and   Trials. 

9.  It  shall  receive  and  try  all  appeals,  references,  and 
complaints  that  may  come  regularly  before  it;  but  no 
member  of  quarterly  conference  can  be  suspended  or 
expelled  from  the  Church  prior  to  a  committee  trial. 

Licensing  Preachers. 

10.  It  shall  have  power  to  grant  license  to  preach 
according  to  the  provisions  of  Chapter  VI,  Ministry  of 
the  Church, 

Renewing  Licenses. 

11.  It  shall  renew  the  license  of  quarterly-conference 
preachers  annually,  if  they  are  found  worthy. 

Recommending  to  the  Aimual  Conference. 

12.  The  quarterly  conference  may  recommend  to  the 
annual-conference  licentiates  of  one  or  more  years' 
standing,  who  have  completed  the  course  of  study  re- 
quired. 

General  Stewards. 

13.  On  circuits,  the  quarterly  conference,  at  its  last 
session  in  each  year,  shall  elect  by  ballot  a  general 
steward  for  the  charge,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  assist 
the  class-stewards  in  securing  the  local  budget,  and  to 
receive  and  audit  the  stewards'  reports. 


GOVERNMENT    OF    THE    CHURCH  37 

Circuit  Finance  Committee. 

14.  On  circuits,  the  quarterly  conference  may,  at  its 
last  session  for  the  year,  appoint  a  finance  committee, 
which  committee  shall  meet  at  the  time  and  place  speci- 
fied by  the  preacher  appointed  to  the  charge  for  the 
ensuing  year,  and  make  out  an  estimate  of  the  regular 
expenses,  including  the  conference  assessment  for  super- 
intendent's salary,  and  apportion  the  same  to  the  differ- 
ent appointments  according  to  their  respective  ability, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  quarterly  conference  for  rati- 
fication. This  committee  shall  also  serve  as  an  executive 
committee  for  the  quarterly  conference  during  the  year 
in  all  matters  of  finance. 

Apportionment  to  the  Members. 

15.  As  soon  as  convenient  after  each  class  has  re- 
ceived its  apportionment,  on  the  call  of  the  pastor,  the 
official  members  shall  meet  and  make  a  distribution  of 
the  apportionment,  including  the  assessment  for  confer- 
ence superintendent,  to  the  members  severally,  according 
to  their  ability,  to  be  paid  quarterly,  monthly,  or  oftener; 
provided,  however,  that  it  shall  be  the  privilege  of  any 
class  to  collect  the  amount  apportioned  to  it  by  subscrip- 
tion or  otherwise. 

Place  of  Meeting. 

16.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  determine  its 
places  of  meeting. 

• 
Appeals. 

17.  Any  preacher  dissatisfied  with  the  decision  of  a 
quarterly  conference  shall,  within  thirty  days  after  the 
quarterly  conference,  notify  the  secretary,  in  writing,  of 
his  intention  to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for  so 
doing;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  take 
or  send  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notifica- 
tion, and  reasons  assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

18.  In  all  cases  of  appeal,  whether  to  the  quarterly 
or  annual  conference,  or  to  the  court  of  appeals,  the 
course  prescribed  in  the  chapter  on  Appeals  is  the  proper 
one  to  be  pursued. 


38  DISCIPLINE 

Section  VIII 

ANNUAL    CONFERENCE. 

Members. 

1.  The  annual  conference  shall  consist  of  all  elders 
and  licentiate  preachers,  who  have  been  duly  received, 
and  one  lay  delegate  from  each  charge  in  the  conference. 
The  lay  delegate  shall  be  elected  by  ballot,  at  the  third 
or  last  session  of  the  quarterly  conference  in  the  year, 
a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  being  necessary  to  a 
choice;  an  alternate  also  shall  be  elected  at  the  same 
time  and  in  like  manner. 

No  one  is  eligible  to  election  as  lay  delegate  who  holds 
an  annual-conference  license  to  preach,'  or  is  recom- 
mended to  the  annual  conference  for  license  to  preach. 

Lay  delegates  shall  have  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  ministers  in  the  annual  conference,  except  the  right 
to  vote  upon  the  reception  or  expulsion  of  preachers  and 
the  passing  of  preachers  in  the  course  of  reading. 

Members  of  conference  boards  and  the  conference 
treasurer,  when  not  a  minister  or  a  lay  delegate,  shall  be 
given  advisory  seats. 

Bishop  Pro  Tempore. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  a  bishop,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  annual  conference  to  elect  a  bishop  pro  tern.,  whose 
official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

Devotions. 

3.  Suitable  devotional  exercises,  consisting  of  scrip- 
ture reading,  singing,  and  prayer,  shall  be  held  at  the 
opening  and  closing  of  the  conference  sessions. 

Seeretaries. 

4.  The  conference  shall  elect  by  ballot  one  or  more 
secretaries,  as  the  case  may  require,  who,  in  addition  to 
dischargihg  their  regular  duties  of  secretary,  shall,  im- 
mediately on  the  adojurnment  of  the  annual  conference, 
transmit  to  the  publishing  agent,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  and 
to  the  bishop  of  the  district,  a  true  transcript  of  the 
footings  of  the  conference  chart. 

Treasurer. 

5.  Each  conference  shall  elect  by  ballot  a  treasurer, 
who  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  conference  and  shall 


'Note.— It  is  also  advisrd  by  the  (lOneral  Conference  that 
wives  of  annual-conference  ministers  be  not  eliosen  as  lay 
delegates. 


(iOVERN:^IENT    OF    THE    CHURCH 


39 


disburse  the  same  on  order  of  the  conference.  The  treas- 
urer shall  keep  an  accurate  book  account  of  all  his  re- 
ceipts and  disbursements,  keeping  separate  accounts  for 
different  funds,  and  shall  make  a  detailed  itemized  re- 
port of  every  such  account  to  the  annual  conference. 
The  treasurer's  book  shall  be  the  property  of  the  confer- 
ence. The  treasurer  shall  be  required  to  give  bond  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duty,  the  amount  of  the 
bond  to  be  fixed  by  the  conference.  He  shall  receive  such 
compensation  as  the  conference  may  determine.  In  case 
of  a  vacancy  in  the  treasurer's  office,  it  shall  be  filled  by 
the  conference  superintendent  and  his  council  of  adminis- 
tration. 

Examinations. 

6.  All  preachers  shall  report  in  person  or  by  letter, 
and  be  examined  respecting  their  deportment  toward 
their  fellow-men,  whether  their  conduct  in  life  be  blame- 
less, and  whether  they  employ  as  much  time  as  practi- 
cable to  promote  the  kingdom  of  God  (according  to. 
Titus  1:7-9  and  II  Timothy  2:15),  and  if  found  delinquent 
they  shall  be  admonished  or  advised,  as  the  case  may 
require.  But  should  all  admonition  or  advice  fail,  then 
the  name  of  the  delinquent  person  shall  be  erased  from 
the  roll  of  the  conference. 

Ahsentecs. 

7.  Should  any  member  of  the  annual  conference 
absent  himself  from  the  session  of  conference  three  years 
in  succession  without  giving  a  satisfactory  reason  for  so 
doing,  his  name  may  be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the 
conference. 

Electioneering  Forbidden. 

8.  No  preacher  or  layman  shall  be  permitted  to  elec- 
tioneer favorably  for  his  own  election  to  any  office  or 
delegation  in  the  church;  and  should  any  one  be  found 
doing  so,  if  a  preacher,  he  shall  be  held  accountable  to 
the  next  annual  conference  of  which  he  is  a  member, 
and  if  a  layman,  he  shall  be  held  accountable  to  the  class. 
to  be  dealt  with,  each  according  to  the  judgment  of  said 
conference  or  class. 

Authority  of  the  Annual  Conference. 

9.  An  annual  conference  may  adopt  rules  for  its  own 
government  not  in  conflict  with  the  Discipline  of  the 
Church. 


40  1)IS(  IIM.IXE 

BenevoJence  Funds. 

10.  The  annual  conference  treasurer  shall  forward 
to  the  general  Church  treasurer  on  the  25th  of  each 
month  all  moneys  collected  by  the  conference  for  gen- 
eral benevolences,  and  in  no  case  may  these  funds  be 
diverted  to  conference  interests. 

Business  Sheet. 

11.  The  annual  conference  shall  transact  its  business 
according  to  a  business  sheet  prepared  by  the  board  of 
bishops. 

Conference  District  Organization. 

12.  For  the  successful  promotion  of  the  work  under- 
taken by  the  annual  conference,  the  charges  in  the  con- 
ference shall  be  arranged  into  districts,  each  with  a  dis- 
trict leader.  The  districts  and  the  names  of  the  leaders 
should  be  announced  in  connectioji  with  the  report  of 
the  stationing  committee.  Meetings  or  rallies  should  be 
held  statedly  as  arranged  by  the  conference  superintend- 
ent. These  meetings  should  include  the  pastors,  the  lay 
delegates  who  served  at  the  preceding  annual  conference, 
at  least  one  layman  appointed  from  each  local  church, 
and  as  many  members  of  the  churches  as  possible. 

Section  IX 

GENERAL    CONFERENCE. 

Members. 

1.  ( See  Constitution,  Article  I,  Section  1. ) 

Conjerence  Representation. 

2.  The  annual  conferences  shall  be  represented  in  the 
General  Conference  according  to  the  following  ratios: 

All  conferences  having  less  than  three  thousand  mem- 
bers shall  be  entitled  to  two  delegates,  one  ministerial 
and  one  lay;  three  thousand  and  less  than  eight  thousand 
two  ministerial  and  two  lay;  eight  thousand  and  less 
than  thirteen  thousand,  three  ministerial  and  three  lay; 
thirteen  thousand  and  less  than  eighteen  thousand,  four 
ministerial  and  four  lay;  eighteen  thousand  and  less 
than  twenty-three  thousand,  five  ministerial  and  five  lay; 
the  same  ratio  to  be  continued  through  conferences  hav- 
ing larger  numbers. 

All  general  officers  elected  by  the  General  Conference 
shall  be  advisory  delegates  at  large. 


GOVEKX-MKM'    OF    THE    CHURCH  41 

The  number  of  delegates  from  foreign  mission  confer- 
ences, not  in  excess  of  the  above  ratios,  and  the  manner 
of  their  election  shall  be  determined  by  the  Foreign 
Mission  board. 

Bishops'  Announcement. 

3.  The  board  of  bishops  shall  as  early  as  possible  an- 
nounce the  number  of  delegates  to  which  each  confer- 
ence shall  be  entitled,  as  appearing  from  the  statistics 
of  the  annual  conferences  at  the  end  of  the  third  year  of 
the  quadrennial  term;  provided,  however,  that  at  the 
following  annual  conference,  should  it  be  found,  after 
the  statistical  secretary  has  made  his  report,  that  the 
number  of  members  in  the  conference  at  that  time  would 
change  the  number  of  delegates  to  which  the  conference 
is  entitled,  the  presiding  bishop  shall  so  announce  to 
the  conference,  and  the  conference  shall  nominate  the 
number  of  delegates  indicated  by  the  membership  at  that 
time. 

Nomination  of  Delegates. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  ministerial  members  of 
each  annual  conference  at  the  session  next  preceding  the 
election  for  delegates  to  General  Conference,  apart  from 
the  lay  delegates,  to  nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the 
number  of  ministerial  delegates  to  be  elected.  It  shall 
also  be  the  duty  of  the  lay  delegates,  in  separate  conven- 
tion, to  nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the  number  of  lay 
delegates  to  be  elected.  In  both  cases  it  shall  require  a 
majority  of  all  the  ballots  cast  to  effect  a  nomination. 
This  provision  shall  not  be  construed  as  depriving  mem- 
bers of  the  right  to  vote,  if  desirous  of  doing  so,  for 
other  ministers  and  laymen  who  are  eligible. 

Annual-Conference  Tellers. 

5.  Each  annual  conference  shall  appoint  a  committee 
of  three  as  a  board  of  tellers  and  three  as  alternates,  to 
receive  and  publicly  count  the  votes,  and  issue  certi- 
ficates of  election  to  those  receiving  the  highest  number 
of  votes.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  tellers  to 
meet  before  the  month  of  November  and  appoint  one  of 
their  number  secretary,  and  to  said  secretary  all  returns 
of  boards  of  election  shall  be  made.  The  said  secretary 
shall  retain  under  lock  and  key  all  such  reports  until 
the  official  count  is  made. 


42  DISCIPLINE 

Lists  of  Xonii7iees  and  Bla7}J<:s. 

6.  The  annual  conference  shall  furnish,  through  its 
recording  secretary,  to  each  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
field  of  labor  a  list  of  all  the  ministers  and  laymen 
nominated.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  conference 
superintendent  to  have  printed  in  convenient  form,  and 
deliver  in  due  time  to  each  pastor,  printed  tickets  con- 
taining the  names  of  all  nominees,  with  their  postoflfice 
addresses,  for  use  in  the  election  of  delegates.  He  shall 
also  furnish  to  each  preacher  in  charge  on  his  district 
blank  bills  of  election,  which  shall  be  distributed  by  the 
preachers  to  their  respective  boards  of  election. 

Boards  of  Election. 

7.  The  leaders  and  stewards  of  each  local  church  shall 
constitute  a  board  of  election,  to  which  the  pastor  shall 
furnish  a  copy  of  the  list  of  persons  nominated.  The 
election  shall  be  held  invariably  between  November  15 
and  December  15  next  preceding  the  sitting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference. 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  election  of  each 
local  church  publicly  to  announce,  at  least  one  week  be- 
fore the  election,  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  said 
church  for  the  purpose  of  casting  their  ballots  for  dele- 
gates to  represent  them  in  the  General  Conference. 

Absent  Voters. 

9.  Members  incapacitated  by  age,  affliction,  non-resi- 
dence, or  other  unavoidable  circumstances,  and  ministers 
absent  on  their  charges,  may  send  their  ballots  contain- 
ing the  names  of  their  choice,  with  their  own  names 
signed  on  the  back  of  their  ballots;  provided,  that  no 
votes  shall  be  counted  except  those  cast  on  the  day  ap-- 
pointed  for  such  election. 

Election  Returns. 

10.  Each  board  of  election  shall  immediately  make  up 
the  bill  of  election,  sign,  enclose,  and  seal  it,  and  trans- 
mit it  to  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  tellers  appointed 
by  the  annual  conference,  stating  what  church,  circuit, 
mission,  or  station  their  vote  represents.  It  shall  also 
keep  a  correct  copy  of  the  bill  sent  to  the  tellers;  also  a 
list  of  the  names  of  all  the  members  voting,  and  also  the 
tickets  used  in  voting,  until  after  the  adjournment  of 
the  General  Conference,  when  they  may  be  destroyed. 


GOVHKN.MENT    OF    THE    rillHCH  43 

11.  Pastors  shall  be  required  to  see  that  forms  for  the 
election  of  delegates  are  properh^  filled  out  and  the  re- 
turns of  their  charges  sent  in;  they  shall  be  held  amen- 
able to  the  annual  conference  for  the  discharge  of  this 
duty. 

Canvassing  and  Publication  of  Returns. 

12.  The  annual  conference  board  of  tellers,  not  later 
than  the  third  week  in  January,  shall  make  out  a  list 
of  all  persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for 
each;  and  should  any  two  or  more  of  the  candidates  have 
an  equal  number  of  votes,  the  tellers  shall  determine,  by 
lot,  which  of  them  is  elected.  The  board  shall  forward, 
by  the  twenty-fifth  of  January,  to  the  editor  of  the 
Religious  Telescope  for  publication,  the  names  and  post- 
office  addresses  of  those  elected.  It  shall  also  transmit 
to  the  publishing  agent,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  a  complete  list 
of  all  persons  voted  for  and  the  number  of  votes  cast  for 
each,  which  record  he  shall  furnish  to  the  ensuing  Gen- 
eral Conference.  If  any  one  of  those  elected  should  be 
prevented  from  attending,  by  death,  sickness,  or  other- 
wise, it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  tellers  or  secretary  of  the 
General  Conference  to  notify  the  next  highest  on  the 
bill  to  take  his  place;  other  vacancies  shall  be  filled  in 
like  manner,  descending,  if  need  be,  to  the  last  candidate. 
No  bills  of  election  received  by  the  tellers  after  the 
fifteenth  of  January  shall  be  counted. 

Contests. 

13.  In  case  of  contest  for  the  seat  of  any  delegate 
reported  elected  to  the  General  Conference  by  the  board 
of  tellers  of  his  conference,  the  secretary  of  the  confer- 
ence shall  give  notice  to  the  contestee  in  writing,  forty 
days  before  the  sitting  of  the  General  Conference,  in 
which  charges  and  specifications  shall  be  plainly  stated. 
Any  person  failing  to  give  such  notice  shall  forfeit  his 
right  to  contest  in  the  General  Conference. 

Location  and  Entertainment  of  the  General  Conference. 

14.  Arrangements  for  the  place  and  entertainment  of 
the  General  Conference,  if  not  determined  at  its  session, 
or  if  satisfactory  arrangements  for  the  entertainment 
and  care  of  the  delegates  and  visitors  and  the  proper  ex- 
penses for  the  General  Conference  be  not  provided,  shall 
be  referred  with  full  power  to  act  to  the  agent  and  board 
of  trustees  of  the  printing  establishment. 


44  Discii'LiM-: 

15.  Said  board  shall  estimate  the  amount  required  for 
the  expenses  of  the  General  Conference,  including  travel- 
ing expenses  and  boarding  of  delegates  and  bishops,  and 
shall  report  the  same  to  the  general  Board  of  Adminis- 
tration, who  shall  equitably  apportion  the  same  among, 
and  report  the  same  to,  the  annual  conferences  early  in 
the  first  year  of  the  quadrennium  next  preceding  the 
sitting  of  the  General  Conference;  said  apportionments 
shall  be  by  each  annual  conference  apportioned  to  each 
charge  in  the  conference,  and  the  pastors  required  to 
collect  and  turn  over  the  same  to  the  conference  treasurer 
at  the  close  of  the  year,  and  the  conference  treasurer 
shall,  as  soon  as  the  apportionment  is  all  collected,  send 
said  amount  to  the  general  Church  treasurer  at  Dayton, 
Ohio. 

16.  This  money  shall  be  known  as  the  General  Con- 
ference expense  fund,  and  shall  be  distributed  among  the 
delegates  and  bishops  in  proportion  to  their  traveling 
expenses  by  the  most  direct  route  to  and  from  the  seat  of 
the  General  Conference,  and  shall  include  their  board 
and  lodging  during  the  sessions  of  the  conference;  pro- 
vided, however,  that  if  any  conference  shall  fail  to  raise 
the  full  amount  of  its  apportionment,  said  conference 
delegation  shall  receive  from  said  fund  in  proportion  to 
the  amount  raised  by  the  conference. 

Examination  of  Annual  Conferences. 

17.  The  General  Conference  may  examine  the  admin- 
istration of  each  annual  conference,  whether  it  has 
strictly  observed  the  rules  and  preserved  the  moral  and 
doctrinal  principles  of  the  Discipline  in  all  its  trans- 
actions. 

Election  of  Officers. 

18.  In  the  election  of  all  the  officers  of  the  General 
Conference,  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  shall  be  necessary 
to  a  choice. 

Boards  of  Trustees. 

19.  The  trustees  of  the  general  Church  boards  shall 
be  divided  into  two  equal  classes,  elected  at  alternate 
General  Conferences  for  a  term  of  eight  years.  In  case 
of  an  odd  number  of  trustees,  the  two  classes  shall  be  as 
nearly  equal  as  possible.    The  members  of  these  shall  be 


govi:kxme.\t   ok   tiik   curKcii  45 

composed  as  nearly  as  possible   of  an   equal   number  of 
ministers  and  laymen. 

20.  If  the  board  of  trustees  of  any  of  our  Church  in- 
stitutions shall,  on  account  of  removals  or  otherwise,  at 
any  time  not  have  the  number  of  members  required  by 
the  charter  of  such  institutions  to  be  selected  from  a 
particular  State,  said  board  shall  be  authorized  to  sup- 
ply said  deficiency  by  the  selection  of  additional  trustees. 

21.  In  the  event  of  a  vacancy  occurring  in  any  of  the 
secretaryships  constituted  by  the  General  Conference, 
the  board  of  that  department  shall  fill  the  place.  Should 
a  vacancy  occur  in  any  General  Conference  position 
where  no  board  is  empowered  to  fill  the  place,  such  au- 
thority shall  be  vested  in  the  Board  of  Administration. 

Meetings. 

22.  The  General  Conference  shall  convene  in  regular 
session  on  the  second  Thursday  of  May.  and  in  special 
session  upon  the  call  of  the  board  of  bishops. 

23.  The  quadrennium  shall  begin  upon  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  General  Conference  and  the  tenure  of  office 
of  all  general  officers,  secretaries,  and  members  of  boards, 
shall  take  effect  upon  said  adjournment;  provided,  that 
officers  shall  have  until  July  1  thereafter  to  make  in- 
ventory, settle  their  accounts,  and  arrange  their  work. 


CHAPTER  YI. 

Ministry  of  thk  Ciukch 

Skctiox   I 

LAY  PREACHERS 

How  Licensed. 

1.  Any  person  desiring  license  as  a  lay  preacher  mnst 
obtain  from  the  church  of  which  he  is  a  member,  by  a 
two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular 
meeting  of  the  congregation,  a  recommendation  in  writ- 
ing signed  by  the  leader  or  preacher  in  charge  to  the 
quarterly  conference  of  the  charge  to  which  he  belongs, 
which  may  license  him  after  a  satisfactory  examination 
by  the  conference  superintendent  on  the  doctrine  and 
discipline  of  our  Church.  Lay  preachers  shall  be  mem- 
bers of  and  amenable  to  the  quarterly  conference  where 
they  reside. 

Duties  of  Lay  Preachers. 

2.  Lay  preachers  shall  work  under  the  direction  of 
the  quarterly  conference,  or  they  may  be  recommended 
to  the  annual  conference  for  endorsement  or  for  orders 
to  serve  the  Church  as  the  conference  may  direct,  either 
as  preachers  or  evangelists.  They  may  read  portions  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  preaching  and  exhorting  therefrom; 
give  Bible  readings;  encourage  Christians  to  cleave  with 
purpose  of  heart  to  the  Lord;  and  urge  sinners  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come.  Lay  preachers  may  but  shall 
not  be  required  to  pursue  the  course  of  study  prescribed 
for  the  ministry  of  the  Church. 

3.  The  license  of  a  lay  preacher  is  subject  to  renewal 
annually  at  the  discretion  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Section   H 
quarterly-conference  preachers 
Hoic  Licensed. 
1.     Any  person  desiring  a  license  to  preach,  must  ob- 
tain from  the  class  of  which  he  is  a  member,  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular  meet- 
ing of  the  congregation,  a  recommendation  in  writing, 
signed    by    the    leader    or    preacher    in    charge,    to    the 

46 


MINISTRY  OF  THE  CHURCH  47 

quarterly  conference  of  the  charge  to  which  he  belongs; 
provided,  however,  that  no  one  shall  be  given  license 
who  has  not  passed  the  Teacher-Training  Course,  or  its 
full  equivalent,  and  whose  educational  attainments  are 
not  equivalent  to  the  completion  of  a  public  school 
course  half  way  through  the  standard  high-school  grade, 
or  to  the  completion  of  half  the  standard  academic  course 
necessary  to  entering  the  freshman  class  of  a  standard 
college,  except  in  extraordinary  cases,  such  cases  to  be 
referred  to  the  conference  superintendent  for  final  de- 
cision. The  candidate  must  express  his  purpose  to  make 
the  ministry  his  life  work,  and  give  satisfactory  evidence 
of  his  call,  religious  experience,  soundness  of  doctrine, 
and  attachment  to  the  Church  and  its  government. 

2.  The  person  making  application  shall  be  examined 
by  the  quarterly  conference,  and  the  following  questions 
shall  be  asked  by  the  chairman: 

(1)  Do  you  believe  our  Confession  of  Faith  as  set 
forth  in  our  Book  of  Discipline? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ? 

(3)  What  is  your  motive  in  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 

(4)  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  Church  government? 

(5)  Will  you  submit  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren? 

(6)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  depravity,  of  redemp- 
tion, of  faith,  of  repentance,  of  justification,  of  regenera- 
tion, and  of  sanctification? 

(7)  What  is  your  educational  preparation  for  the 
work  of  the  ministry? 

3.  It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  chairman  to  ask -any 
other  question  or  questions  that  he  may  deem  necessary. 

4.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds, 
shall  not  be  granted  license. 

5.  No  person  who  uses  tobacco  in  any  form  shall  be 
granted  a  license  to  preach. 

6.  When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us 
with  a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which 
he  has  held  membership,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the 
quarterly  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the 
doctrines,  discipline,  government,  and  usages  of  our 
Church,  the  quarterly  conference  may  receive  him. 


48  DISCIIMJXE 

Course  of  Study. 

7.  A  quarterly-conference  preacher  is  required  to  pur- 
sue the  course  of  study  prescribed  in  our  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, and  to  be  examined  by  the  conference  superin- 
tendent and  pastor  at  any  convenient  time  during  the 
year. 

Note. — For  exception  to  this  article,  see  Chapter  VI, 
Section  III,  paragraph  7. 

Renewal  of  License. 

8.  The  license  of  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  is 
subject  to  renewal  annually,  at  the  discretion  of  the 
quarterly  conference;  provided,  however,  that,  when  the 
course  of  study  required  has  been  taken,  he  shall  be 
excused  from  further  examination,  and  shall  hold  his 
license  subject  to  the  discretion  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. 

Recommenrlation    to   Annual   Conference. 

9.  After  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  has  stood  in 
that  relation  at  least  one  conference  year,  or  longer  at 
the  discretion  of  the  quarterly  conference,  it  may  recom- 
mend him  to  the  annual  conference,  and  if  not  received 
he  shall  sustain  his  former  relation.  The  recommenda- 
tion shall  be  signed  by  the  secretary  of  the  quarterly 
conference  and  the  conference  superintendent. 

Section  III 

AXN  U  AL-C"0.\FERENCE    PREACHERS. 

Hoiv  Received.     ' 
1.'    Any  person  recommended  as  a  preacher  shall  be 
examined  by  the  annual  conference,  or  a  select  commit- 
tee thereof,  and  the  following  questions  shall  be  asked 
him: 

Preacher's  Examination. 
2.     (1)     Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus  to  be  a 
sin-pardoning  God? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God,  and  is  the  love  of 
God  shed  abroad  in  your  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit? 

(3)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
and  that  therein  is  revealed  the  only  way  to  our  salva- 
tion? 

(4)  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  belief? 


.MIMSTUY  OF  THE  CHI  KCH  49 

(5)  Are  you  endeavoring  by  the  grace  of  God  to  live 
a  holy  life? 

(G)  What  is  your  motive  for  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 

(7)  Do  you  believe  that  man,  apart  from  the  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  fallen  from  original  righteous- 
ness, and  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is 
inclined  to  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually;  and 
that  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom of  heaven? 

(8)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  redemption,  of  faith, 
of  repentance,  justification,  regeneration,  and  sanctifi- 
cation? 

(9)  Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the  salvation  of 
your  fellow^  men,  lie  nearer  to  your  heart  than  all  other 
things  in  the  world? 

(10)  Will  you  subject  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren  in  the  Lord? 

(11)  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  Church  government? 

(12)  Are  you  willing,  as  much  as  is  in  your  power, 
to  assist  in  upholding  our  itinerant  plan? 

Educational  Requirements. 

3.  (1)  Educational  attainments  equivalent  to  the 
completion  of  a  standard  academy  or  a  standard  high- 
school  course  of  four  years  are  required  for  admission 
to  the  annual  conference.  (2)  The  foregoing,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  completion  of  the  quarterly-  and  annual-con- 
ference courses  of  study,  are  required  for  ordination. 
(3)  The  ideal  preparation  for  effective  work  in  the 
ministry  is  a  full  college  course,  followed  by  a  theo- 
logical course,  to  which  standard  we  earnestly  urge  our 
young  ministers  to  aspire. 

Qualifications  of  Applicants. 

4.  No  one  shall  be  admitted  to  the  annual  conference 
without  having  a  recommendation  from  the  quarterly 
conference  and  then  shall  be  received  on  probation  only. 
No  one  shall  be  admitted  who  has  not  met  the  educational 
requirements. 

5.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds, 
shall  not  be  granted  license  to  preach. 

6.  No  person  shall  be  granted  license  to  preach  the 
gospel  who  uses  tobacco  in  any  form.    The  license  of  any 


50  DISCIPLINE 

preacher  who  uses  tobacco,  may,  upon  proper  evidence, 
be  revoked  by  the  annual  conference. 

Exemption  from  Examination. 
7.  Any  person  pursuing  the  quarterly-conference  or 
annual-conference  course  of  study,  who  presents  a  certifi- 
cate to  the  effect  that  he  has  completed  branches  or 
books  contained  in  said  course  at  any  of  our  schools,  or 
at  schools  whose  standard  of  excellence  is  acceptable  to 
the  examining  committee,  shall  be  excused  from  further 
examination  in  such  branches. 

Sacraments  and  Unordained  Preachers. 
S.  Unordained  annual-conference  preachers  who  are 
engaged  in  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  and  who  are 
regularly  and  industriously  pursuing  their  courses  of 
study,  may  be  permitted  by  their  annual  conference  to 
administer  the  sacraments  of  the  Church. 

An  Expelled  Preacher. 

9.  When  a  preacher  or  elder  has  been  expelled,  or 
withdraws,  from  an  annual  conference,  he  shall  not  be 
received  into  another  conference  without  the  consent  of 
the  conference  with  which  he  was  formerly  connected. 

10.  When  an  annual-conference  preacher  has  been  de- 
prived of  his  credentials  of  ordination,  by  expulsion  or 
otherwise,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Bishop  who  pre- 
sided over  his  conference  to  require  them  of  him  and  to 
have  them  filed  with  the  papers  of  the  conference  of 
which  he  was  a  member. 

11.  Should  any  annual-conferenqe  preacher  be  de- 
prived of  his  credentials  of  ordination,  by  expulsion  or 
otherwise,  and  at  any  future  time  give  satisfactory  evi- 
dence to  said  conference  of  his  amendment  or  innocence 
and  procure  a  certificate  of  the  quarterly  conference  of 
the  circuit  or  station  where  he  resides  recommending 
to  the  annual  conference,  of  which  he  was  formerly  a 
member,  the  restoratiton  of  his  credentials,  the  said 
conference  may  restore  them  provided  that  he  has  con- 
tinued one  year  on  probation  after  said  recommendation 
was  made. 

Preacher's   Transfer. 

12.  A  preacher  or  elder  who  has  labored  in  the 
bounds  of  an  annual  conference  other  than  the  one  to 


MIMSTKY  OF  THK  CHUKCH  51 

which  he  belongs  for  two  years,  shall  be  required  to  ob- 
tain a  transfer  from  the  conference  to  which  he  belongs 
and  to  unite  with  the  conference  in  whose  bounds  he 
labors,  or  to  return  to  his  own  conference  for  work : 
provided,  that  presidents  and  professors  of  schools  and 
colleges,  students  in  our  institutions  of  learning,  and 
others  engaged  in  general  church  work,  shall  be  exempt 
from  this  requirement. 

13.  A  preacher  removing  from  one  conference  to  an- 
other shall,  when  he  applies  to  the  latter  for  admission, 
produce  a  transfer  from  the  former,  signed  by  the  presid- 
ing officer  and  secretary. 

Limit  of  Transfer. 

14.  .Any  preacher  who  receives  a  transfer  is  required 
to  present  said  transfer  to  another  conference,  or  to 
return  it  to  the  conference  by  which  it  was  issued,  within 
two  years  after  its  date.  If  not  so  presented  or  returned, 
the  transfer  shall  be  null  and  void,  and  it  shall  be  pub- 
lished that  said  preacher  no  longer  has  ministerial 
standing  in  our  Church. 

AcLOuntahility  of  Transferred  Preachers. 

15.  Any  preacher  receiving  a  transfer  shall  be  a 
member  of  the  quarterly  conference  in  whose  bounds  he 
may  reside,  and  shall  also  be  accountable  for  his  moral 
and  official  conduct  to  the  annual  conference  granting 
said  transfer,  until  his  transfer  be  received  by  the  con- 
ference to  which  he  has  been  transferred. 

Section  IV 

KKCEl'TIOX    OF    rUEACHERS    FROM    OTHER    CHURCHE.S. 

1.  When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us 
with  a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which 
he  has  held  membership,  or  with  a  transfer  from  a  con- 
ference, presbytery,  or  synod,  and  gives  satisfaction  to 
the  annual  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the 
doctrines,  discipline,  government,  and  usages  of  our 
Church,  the  conference  may  receive  him.  provided  he 
comes  with  the  same  educational  qualifications  required 
of  the  preachers  of  our  own  denomination.  If  he  be  an 
ordained  elder  he  must  pass  the  examination  required  of 
candidates  for  elders'  orders,  but  he  may  be  exempt 
from  reordination. 


52  UI  SCUM.  INK 

2.  When  an  ordained  minister  has  been  received 
from  another  church,  he  shall  be  furnished  with  a  certifi- 
cate signed  by  the  Bishop  of  the  conference  with  which 
he  unites;  said  certificate  to  be  according  to  the  form 
given  in  Chapter  XXXII,  Section  2,  No.  9. 


Section  V 

CLASSIFICATION   OF  THE   MINISTRY. 

Classes. 

1.  The  ministry  of  the  Church  shall  be  classified  ac- 
cording to  the  following  orders:  First,  licentiates  and 
elders:  second,  itinerants.  Itinerants  shall  be  classified 
as  active,  local,  and  retired. 

Licentiates. 

2.  Licentiates  are  ministers  who  have  received  an- 
nual-conference license,  but  have  not  yet  been  ordained. 

Elders. 

3.  Elders  are  ministers  who  have  been  ordained  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  provisions  of  Section  V,  of  this  chap- 
ter. 

Iti7ierants. 

4.  Itinerants  are  annual-conference  preachers  who 
have  been  received  into  the  itinerancy  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  their  conference.  They  shall  have  labored  two 
years  under  the  direction  of  the  stationing  committee  or 
conference  superintendent,  or  shall  have  been  engaged 
for  a  similar  period  in  special  work  recognized  and  ap- 
proved by  the  annual  conference.  They  may  be  active, 
local,  or  retired. 

(1)  Active  itinerants  are  those  engaged  in  pastoral, 
supervisory,  or  special  work  recognized  and  approved  by 
the  annual  conference. 

(2)  Local  itinerants  are  those  who  for  any  reason 
are  temporarily  without  ministerial  employment. 

(3)  Retired  itinerants  are  those  who,  by  a  vote  of 
their  annual  conference,  have  been  accorded  retirement 
from  active  ministerial  service. 

Class — Hoiv  Determined. 

5.  The  annual  conference  shall  determine  to  which  of 
the  foregoing  classes  each  minister  shall  belong.  Should 
an  itinerant  leave  in  an  irregular  way  the  work  assigned 


MINISIHV  OF  THi:  (  lllKCIl  53 

him,  he  shall   forfeit  his  standing  as   an   itinerant   and 
shall  surrender  his  credentials. 

Evangelists. 
6.  No  preacher  shall  be  recognized  as  an  evangelist  at 
large  unless  he  is  so  authorized  by  the  annual  conference 
to  which  he  belongs  and  by  the  general  board  of  Evangel- 
ism. He  shall  report  his  work  annually  to  the  confer- 
ence. 

Section  VI 

EI.DEHS. 

1.  A  licentiate  preacher  may  be  presented  to  the 
annual  conference  for  elders'  orders  when  he  has  com- 
pleted a  course  in  The  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary 
or  any  other  standard  seminary,  or  upon  the  completion 
of  the  course  of  study  prescribed  in  Chapter  IX,  Section 
II,  of  our  book  of  Discipline;  whereupon  the  bishop  shall 
propose  to  the  conference  the  following  questions: 

Questions  Regarding  a  Candidate. 

2.  (1)     Is  be  blameless  touching  the  marriage  state? 

(2)  Is  his  deportment  in  the  social  circle  marked 
with  watchful  sobriety? 

(3)  Is  he  hospitable  toward  the  afflicted  and  needy? 

( 4 )  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  ministration  of  God's 
word,  and  diligent  in  reading  and  study? 

(5)  Is  his  household  subject  to  rules  of  piety? 

3.  Should  the  foregoing  questions  be  answered  in  the 
affirmative,  a  committee  of  three  or  five  elders  shall  be 
appointed,  before  whom  the  candidate  shall  appear  and 
pass  an  examination  on  the  subjects  suggested  by  the 
following  questions: 

Committee  Examination. 

4.  (1)  What  are  your  reasons  for  believing  the 
Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God? 

( 2 )  What  proofs  can  you  give  of  the  fall  of  man  by 
transgression? 

( 3 )  What  evidences  can  you  give  of  the  redemption 
of  man  by  Jesus  Christ? 

(4)  Do  you  believe  in  the  deity  of  Jesus  Christ? 

(5)  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  a  belief? 

(6)  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost  as  presented  in 
our  Confession  of  Faith? 


54  Discirj.iNK 

(7)  Upon  what  evidence  do  you  believe  this? 

(8)  Do  .vou  believe  the  doctrine  of  the  future  state  as 
set  forth  in  our  Confession  of  Faith? 

Duties  of  the  Committee. 
5.  The  committee  shall  have  the  right  to  propose  any 
question  touching  the  answers  given,  if  said  answers 
should  be  unsatisfactory.  It  shall  also  be  its  duty  to 
prepare,  sign,  and  deliver  to  the  conference  a  report  of 
each  case  which  may  have  been  before  it. 

Election  of  Elders'  Orders. 

0.     If  the   committee   finds   the  candidate   worthy,   he 

may  be  elected  to  ordination  by  a  majority  of  the  elders 
of  the  conference. 

The  Ordination   of  Licentiates. 

7.  Licentiates  who  have  served  their  probation  in  the 
annual  conferences  and  have  completed  their  courses  of 
study  and  preparation  for  the  exercise  of  the  full  func- 
tions of  the  ministry,  shall  be  given  ordination  by  the 
bishops  at  the  annual  conferences,  and  at  such  other 
times  and  places  as  circumstances  and  needs  may  re- 
quire. In  the  absence  of  the  bishop,  an  elder  who  is 
acting  regularly  in  the  place  of  the  bishop  may  conduct 
the  ordination  service. 

Functions  of  an  Elder. 

8.  The  functions  of  an  elder  are  to  preach  the  gospel, 
to  administer  the  sacraments  of  baptism  and  the  Lords 
Supper,  to  solemnize  marriages,  to  perform  all  parts  of 
divine  service,  to  be  an  example  to  others  by  himself  fol- 
lowing the  Savior's  example;  and  in  a  very  special  man- 
ner it  shall  be  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  cherish  and  encour- 
age young  ministers,  and  always  to  be  looking  for  those 
whom  God  has  called  to  preach,  encouraging  them  in 
making  the  fullest  possible  preparation  for  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry. 

Section  VII. 

CONFERENCE    SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Their  Election. 
1.     Each   annual   conference   shall  have  one  or  more 
superintendents  who  shall  be  elected  annually  by  ballot, 
majority  vote  being  necessary  to  an  election. 


MINISTRY  OF  THE  CHURCH  55 

Council  of  Administration. 

2.  Each  annual  conference  shall  elect  an  advisory 
board,  to  be  known  as  the  council  of  administration, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  meet  with  the  conference 
superintendent  or  superintendents  quarterly,  and  re- 
view the  work  and  administration  of  the  pastors  and 
advise  with  the  superintendent  or  superintendents  con- 
cerning all  the  administrative  work  of  the  conference. 

The  council  of  administration  shall  be  constituted  as 
follows:  The  bishop  of  the  district,  as  chairman;  the 
conference  superintendent  or  superintendents,  the  con- 
ference treasurer,  and  the  district  leaders. 

Pastors  are  required  to  report  to  the  quarterly  meet- 
ing of  the  council  the  condition  of  the  local  church  work, 
the  progress  in  annual  conference  and  general  church 
programs,  and  such  other  matters  as  may  be  requested 
by  the  council. 

Blank  Reports. 

3.  For  the  use  of  conference  superintendents  and 
councils  of  administration  a  uniform  system  of  blanks 
shall  be  prepared  for  quarterly  reports  of  pastors. 

Report  to  the  Bishop. 

4.  Each  conference  superintendent  shall  make  a 
quarterly  report  to  his  bishop,  giving  an  exhibit  of  the 
work  of  the  quarter  by  charges,  alphabetically  arranged, 
together  with  such  other  matters  of  interest  as  will  en- 
able the  bishop  to  give  the  best  possible  oversight  to  all 
the  activities  of  the  Church  throughout  his  district. 

Support  of  Conference  Superintendents. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several  annual  confer- 
ences to  make  such  regulations  for  the  support  of  super- 
intendents as  they  think  best. 

Duties  of  the  Conference  Superintendent. 

6.  The  duties  of  a  conference  superintendent  are  to 
superintend  the  work  of  the  conference,  to  preach  as 
often  as  practicable,  give  careful  attention  to  evangelism, 
and  look  after  all  of  the  general  interests  of  the  de 
nomination. 

7.  He  shall  appoint  quarterly  conferences  and  attend 
them  when  practicable.  He  shall  counsel  with  his 
pastors  faithfully  and  offer  them  every  assistance  within 


56  DISCIIM.I.NK 

his  power.     He  may  call  extra  sessions  of  the  quarterly 
conference. 

8.  The  conference  superintendent  shall  earnestly  en- 
deavor to  arouse  the  membership  of  the  Church  to  a 
more  uniform  performance  of  their  duties  as  to  a  mini- 
mum salary  for  ordained  ministers  of  twelve  hundred 
dollars  and  parsonage  on  each  charge,  and  shall  suggest 
the  most  practicable  means  for  securing  the  same. 

9.  At  the  last  quarterly  conference  of  each  year,  the 
conference  superintendent  shall  examine  the  boards  of 
trustees  of  church-houses  and  parsonages  as  to  their 
having  procured  articles  of  incorporation  according  to 
the  laws  of  the  State  and  the  regulations  of  the  Church, 
and  shall  give  such  instructions  as  may  be  necessary. 

10.  Each  superintendent  shall  make  a  report  of  his 
district  in  writing  to  the  annual  conference.  He  shall 
Inquire  diligently  into  the  condition  of  all  church  mem- 
bership records  in  his  district,  and  report  to  the  annual 
conference  all  pastors  who  fail  to  procure  and  keep  said 
church  membership  records  as  provided  for  in  Chapter 
VII,  Section  2,  paragraph  10. 

Vacancies. 

11.  Should  any  conference,  through  death,  resignation, 
or  otherwise,  be  without  a  superintendent,  information 
shall  be  immediately  given  to  the  bishop,  who  shall  ap- 
point a  superintendent  in  said  district  until  the  ensuing 
annual  conference. 

Power  to  Exchange  Pastors. 

12.  Should  it  become  desirable  to  exchange  the  pas- 
tors of  two  charges  in  a  conference,  the  superintendent 
may,  in  conjunction  with  two  elders,  preachers,  or  lead- 
ers  (one  from  each  charge),  change  said  pastors. 

Poioer  to  Disyniss  Pastors  and  Fill  Vacancies. 

13.  The  superintendent  may,  in  conjunction  with  the 
quarterly  conference,  dismiss  a  pastor  from  his  charge 
for  inefficiency  or  neglect  of  duty. 

14.  It  shall  be  his  duty,  in  consultation  or  corres- 
pondence with  the  bishop  of  his  district,  to  fill  all  va- 
cancies in  the  pastorates  of  the  conference. 

15.  Where  churches  do  not  have  pastoral  supervision 
during  a  conference  year,  or  the  closing  months  of  a  year, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  conference  superintendent  to 


:mixistky  of  the  church  57 

exercise  oversight  of  such  churches,  and  to  make  report 
of  the  same  to  the  annual  conference. 

Section  VIII 

BISHOPS. 

Election  of  Bishops. 

1.  Bishops  of  the  Church  shall  be  elected  every  four 
years  by  the  General  Conference. 

Salaries  of  Bishops. 

2.  The  General  Conference  shall  fix  the  salaries  of  the 
bishops,  which  shall  be  included  in  the  general  budget 
of  the  denomination. 

Districts  of  Bishops. 

3.  The  assignment  of  bishops  to  their  respective  dis- 
tricts shall  be  made  by  a  committee  of  three  from  each 
district,  to  be  chosen  by  the  delegates  of  the  district  as- 
sembled for  that  purpose.  Each  bishop  shall  reside 
within  the  bounds  of  the  district  to  which  he  is  assigned. 
This  item  shall  not  apply  to  the  bishop  of  a  foreign 
district. 

Duties  of  Bishops. 

4.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  shall  preside  over  the 
General  and  annual  conferences,  fix  and  announce  the 
dates  of  the  annual  conferences,  and  have  general  super- 
vision and  direction  of  the  varied  interests  and  institu- 
tions of  the  denomination.  They  shall  also  seek  to 
promote  unity  and  continuity  in  the  administrative 
activities  of  superintendents  and  pastors  throughout 
the  Church,  and  see  to  it  that  all  the  provisions  of  the 
Discipline  are  faithfully  observed;  they  shall  report  an- 
nually in  the  Church  periodicals  the  condition  and  prog 
ress  of  the  Church  in  their  respective  districts,  and  make 
a  quadrennial  report  to  the  General  Conference.  They 
shall  also  deliver  suitable  sermons  and  addresses  to  their 
respective  annual  conferences. 

The  Board  of  Bishops. 

5.  The  bishops  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  at  which 
time  they  shall  decide  questions  of  Church  Discipline, 
and  adopt  and  recommend  policies  of  administration  for 
the  promotion  of  the  institutions  and  enterprises  of  the 
denomination.    They  shall  present  a  quadrennial  address 


58  DISCIPLINE 

to  the  General  Conference  with  such  a  review  of  the 
work  and  achievements  of  the  Church  during  the  quad- 
rennium,  and  with  such  recommendations  as  tliey  may 
deem  expedient  and  helpful  to  the  Church.  They  shall 
also  have  the  authority  to  appoint  special  days  to  be 
obesrved  in  the  interest  of  worthy  causes. 

Superintendents'  Association. 
C).  The  bishop  of  any  district  may  call  together,  an- 
nually, the  superintendents  of  his  district,  at  some  suit- 
able place,  for  the  purpose  of  consultation  and  planning 
for  the  promotion  of  the  interests  of  the  Church.  The 
bishop  shall  be  chairman  ex  officio  of  this  gathering, 
and  shall  direct  in  the  organization  of  an  association 
which  shall  have  a  vice-president,  a  secretary-treasurer, 
and  such  other  officers  and  committees  as  may  be  desired. 
Each  annual  conference  represented  within  the  district 
shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote  in  all  business  transactions. 
The  annual  conferences  are  advised  to  provide  for  the 
payment  of  the  expenses  of  their  superintendents  in  at- 
tending the  association  meetings. 

Calling  Special  Annual  Conferences. 

7.  When  requested  to  do  so  by  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers of  any  annual  conference,  the  bishop  of  the  district 
shall  reconvene  said  conference  in  special  session. 

Organization  of  Mission  Conferences. 

8.  Whenever  it  is  deemed  desirable  to  organize  a  mis- 
sion conference,  a  bishop,  in  conjunction  with  either  of 
the  boards  of  missions  (Home  or  Foreign),  shall  have 
the  power  to  organize  such  a  conference  in  either  home 
or  foreign  fields. 

Missionary  Oversight. 

9.  The  bishops  shall  confer  with  conference  superin- 
tendents and  pastors  in  suggesting  plans  and  methods 
for  the  awakening  of  interest  in  home  and  foreign  mis- 
sions, and  shall  devote  as  much  of  their  time  as  practi- 
cable to  visiting  mission  fields  and  to  the  opening  of  new 
missions  in  inviting  places. 

AccountaMlity  of  Bishops. 

10.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  shall  be  amenable  to 
the  General  Conference  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their 
official  duties.     Their  administration  and  services  in  the 


MINISTRY  OF  THh  ClllUClI  59 

general  superintendence  of  the  varied  interests  of  the 
denomination  shall  be  subject  to  review  the  same  as 
other  administrative  officers  at  the  quadrennial  meetings 
of  the  General  Conference. 

Vacancy  in  a  Bisliop's  District. 
11.  In  case  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  bishop  in  any 
district  occurs  during  the  first  three  years  of  the  quad- 
rennium,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  remaining  bishops  to 
hold  an  election  by  letter  ballot,  all  members  of.  the  pre- 
ceding General  Conference,  who  are  members  of  the 
Church,  voting.  The  publishing  agent  shall  provide  and 
send  out  the  blank  ballots,  and  return-stamped  envelopes 
under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  bishops.  The  board 
of  bishops  shall  appoint  a  board  of  tellers,  three  in  num- 
ber, from  the  membership  of  the  Church  in  the  vicinity 
of  Dayton,  Ohio.  The  ballots  shall  be  turned  over  to 
them  by  the  publishing  agent,  as  directed  by  the  bishops. 
The  bishops  shall  set  a  date  when  the  ballots  must  be  in. 
and  also  when  and  where  the  ballots  must  be  counted  by 
the  tellers,  these  two  dates  to  be  printed  on  the  ballots 
sent  out  to  the  delegates.  The  tellers  shall  certify  the 
entire  vote  to  the  bishops,  and  they  shall  announce  the 
election  of  the  person  receiving  a  majority  of  the  votes 
cast.  In  case  no  election  occurs  on  the  first  ballot,  other 
ballots  shall  be  taken  until  some  one  receives  a  majority 
vote.  In  case  a  vacancy  occurs  during  the  last  year  of 
the  quadrennium,  the  remaining  bishops  shall  divide  the 
work  of  the  district  among  themselves  for  the  remainder 
of  the  quadrennium. 

Foreign  Field. 

12.  The- foreign  fields  shall  be  under  the  supervision 
of  the  bishops  and  the  board  of  Foreign  Missions.  The  ad- 
ministration of  the  Foreign  Mission  district  shall  be 
committed  to  the  Foreign  Mission  board  which  shall 
make  provision  for  its  proper  superintendence.  The 
visitation  of  the  field  shall  be  arranged  by  the  Foreign 
Mission  board  in  consultation  with  the  board  of  bishops. 

Stationing  of  Preachers. 

13.  For  stationing  pastors,  see  Chapter  VII,  Section  I, 
paragraph  4. 


•'0  DISCIPLINE 

Section  IX 

DUTIES    OF   PREACHERS. 

Preachers'  Duties  in  General. 

1.  The  duties  of  preachers  are  to  visit  regularly  the 
appointments  on  their  charges,  preach  the  Word  of  God 
to  their  people,  and  endeavor  to  edify  and  instruct  all 
in  the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ;  they  shall  visit  the  sick, 
comfort  those  in  sorrow,  counsel  those  in  error,  and 
strengthen  those  who  labor  under  temptation;  they  shall 
converse  with  their  members  touching  their  spiritual 
condition,  pray  at  the  family  altar,  hold  prayer-meetings 
whenever  practicable,  and  administer  relief  to  the 
needy;  they  shall  give  their  undivided  support  and 
cooperation  to  all  the  departments  of  Church  activity, 
and  shall  work  in  full  and  complete  harmony  with  the 
plans  and  policies  of  the  denomination. 

Directions  to  Preachers. 

2.  Let  preachers  heed  the  following  directions: 

(1)  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle  away  your  time.  Al- 
ways be  discreet.  Let  your  motto  be,  "Holiness  unto 
THE  Lord."'  Avoid  all  vain  conversation,  conduct  your- 
self prudently,  and  demean  yourself  in  all  respects  as  a 
true  Christian.  Be  at  all  times  averse  to  crediting  evil 
reports.  Believe  evil  of  no  one  without  good  evidence. 
Put  the  best  construction  on  everything. 

(2)  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  Whatever  may  be  your 
thoughts,  keep  them  within  your  own  breast  until  you 
can  tell  the  person  concerned  what  you  think  wrong  in 
his  conduct. 

(3)  Let  your  business  be  to  save  as  many  souls  as 
possible.  To  this  employment  give  yourself  up  wholly. 
Visit  those  who  need  it,  and  act  in  all  things,  not  ac- 
cording to  your  own  will,  but  as  sons  in  the  gospel;  for 
as  such  it  becomes  your  duty  to  employ  your  time  in  the 
manner  prescribed,  in  preaching,  and  in  visiting  from 
house  to  house,  in  instruction  and  prayer,  and  in  medita- 
tion on  the  Word  of  God.  With  these  things  be  occu- 
pied until  our  Lord  shall  come. 

Authority  to  Solemnize  Marriage. 

3.  All  ordained  ministers  are  authorized  to  solemnize 
marriage.  All  annual-conference  ministers,  where  the 
law  of  the  State  makes  it  the  privilege  of  every  regularly 


:M1MSTUY  Ol"  TlIK  (  lillK  u  til 

licensed  minister  to  solemnize  marriage,  are  authorized 
to  solemnize  marriage;  but  none  having  quarterly-con- 
ference license  only  are  permitted  to  do  so,  unless  serv- 
ing a  regular  charge. 

Transferring  Members. 

4.  The  pastor  shall  issue  certificates  of  transfer  to 
members  moving  from  his  charge  when  granted  by  vote 
of  the  official  board,  in  harmony  with  the  provisions  of 
Chapter  IV,  Section  IV,  of  the  Discipline. 

Preachers  Not  to  Trespass. 

5.  No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  organize  a  pastoral 
charge  within  the  limits  of  a  circuit  or  conference  dis- 
trict, or  shall  receive  compensation  for  labor  performed, 
without  the  consent  of  the  preacher  in  charge;  nor  shall 
any  minister  preaching  in  a  different  language  accept  a 
call  from  any  regularly-organized  class  or  congregation 
which  does  not  belong  to  his  conference,  without  the 
consent  of  the  annual  conference  to  which  the  charge 
making  the  request  may  belong.  Any  preacher  violating 
{Tie  provisions  of  this  section  shall  be  amenable  to  his 
quarterly  or  annual  conference. 

Section  X 

TRIAL    OF    PKEACHERS. 

Quarterly-Conference  Preachers. 
1.  Whenever  a  quarterly-conference  minister  is  ac- 
cused of  conduct  unworthy  of  such  a  representative  of 
the  Church,  the  pastor  of  the  charge  where  such  preacher 
holds  his  membership  shall  appoint  one  or  more  disin- 
terested persons  as  a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  com- 
plaints, and  if  grounds  for  charges  are  found,  and  the 
accused  fails  to  satisfy  the  committee,  charges  shall  be 
filed  and  reported  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  of 
which  the  accused  is  a  member,  and  the  quarterly  con- 
ference shall  appoint  a  prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  notify  the  accused  to  choose  a  committeeman,  the 
prosecutor  choosing  a  committeeman,  in  behalf  of  the 
Church,  and  these  two  a  third,  all  of  whom  shall  be 
members  of  the  Church,  before  which  committee  the  case 
shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor  shall  notify  the  pastor  of 
the  charge  when  said  committee  has  been  properly 
formed,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  pastor  to  appoint 
the  time  and  place  of  trial,  giving  not  less  than  ten  nor 


62 


more  than  twenty  days'  notice;  and  he  shall  also  act  as 
chairman  in  the  case.  If  a  majority  of  the  committee 
be  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sustained,  the  chair- 
man shall  require  the  accused  to  hold  his  peace  until  the 
quarterly  conference,  where  the  accused  shall  be  ac- 
countable, and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  to 
transmit  in  written  form  the  proceedings  and  findings 
of  said  trial  to  the  quarterly  conference,  and  if  the 
findings  are  sustained,  the  accused  shall  be  suspended,  ex- 
pelled, or  otherwise  dealt  with,  as  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence may  determine.  But  should  the  accused,  after  being 
duly  notified,  refuse,  or  neglect,  or  fail  to  choose  a  com- 
mitteeman, the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint  a  com- 
mittee of  three  persons,  who  shall  hear  the  case  and  de- 
cide. 

Ann iial-Conference   Preachers. 

2.  When  an  annual-conference  preacher  or  elder  is 
accused  of  immorality,  trespass,  imprudent  conduct,  or 
disobedience  to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church, 
the  superintendent  of  the  district,  in  the  bounds  of 
which  the  accused  shall  reside  or  hold  membership, 
shall  appoint  a  preacher,  who  shall  take  with  him  another 
preacher  or  leader,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  accused 
examine  into  the  charge,  following  the  Apostle's  instruc- 
tion (I  Tim.  5:19):  "Against  an  elder  receive  not  an 
accusation,  but  before  two  or  three  witnesses."  If  it 
should  appear  that  said  reports  are  well  founded,  the 
examiners  shall  prefer  charges  against  the  accused  at  the 
ensuing  quarterly  conference,  which  shall  appoint  a 
prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the  accused 
in  writing,  setting  forth  all  the  charges  preferred  against 
him.  He  shall  also  notify  him  to  choose  an  elder  as  his 
committeeman,  the  prosecutor  choosing  an  elder  as  com- 
mitteeman in  behalf  of  the  Church,  and  these  two  a 
third  elder  or  preacher,  before  which  committee  the  case 
shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor  shall  also  notify  the 
superintendent  of  the  district,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  superintendent  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of  trial, 
giving  not  less  than  twenty  nor  more  than  thirty  days' 
notice  to  the  parties  concerned,  and  he  shall  also  act  as 
chairman  in  the  case.  Should  a  majority  of  the  com- 
mittee be  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sustained,  and 
he  is  found  guilty  of  a  serious  offense,  they  shall  require 
him  to  hold  his  peace  until  the  annual  conference,  where 


31I.MST1CV    OF    THE    CHURCH  63 

he  shall  be  accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
committee  to  transmit  in  writing  the  entire  proceedings 
of  said  trial  to  the  annual  conference,  where  accused 
shall  have  a  hearing  before  the  conference,  or  a  commit- 
tee thereof;  and  if  the  findings  are  sustained,  he  shall  be 
suspended,  expelled,  or  otherwise  dealt  with,  as  the 
conference  may  determine. 

But  should  the  accused,  after  having  been  duly  noti- 
fied, refuse  or  neglect  to  comply  in  choosing  his  com- 
mitteeman and  notifying  the  prosecutor  within  fifteen 
days,  the  conference  superintendent  shall  suspend  him 
until  the  annual  conference,  where,  if  he  shall  refuse  to 
appear,  he  shall  be  dealt  with  according  to  the  judgment 
of  the  conference;  provided,  however,  if  he  be  an  elder, 
elders  only  shall  vote  in  the  case;  and  provided  further, 
that  if  the  committeemen  chosen  by  the  prosecutor  and 
accused  fail  to  agree  as  to  the  third  member  of  the  com- 
mittee, then  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint  said 
committeeman.  If  the  accused  or  prosecutor  be  a  confer- 
ence superintendent  or  bishop,  the  conference  superin- 
tendent or  bishop,  as  the  case  may  be,  next  adjoining 
shall  act  as  chairman  in  the  trial;  provided,  that  in  con- 
ferences having  only  one  conference  superintendent  the 
bishop  shall  appoint  a  chairman  to  act  in  the  case. 

Trial   of  Bishops   and   Conference   Superintendents. 

3.  When  a  bishop  or  conference  superintendent  shall 
be  accused  of  any  misdemeanor,  immoral  conduct,  or 
disobedience  ot  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church, 
the  bishop  of  the  district,  in  the  bounds  of  which  the 
accused  shall  reside  or  hold  membership,  shall  appoint 
a  committee  of  three  elders,  who  shall  examine  into  the 
complaints,  and  should  the  accused  be  a  bishop,  then  the 
board  of  bishops  shall  appoint  a  like  committee.  If  it 
shall  appear  that  said  complaints  are  well  founded,  the 
committee  shall  prefer  charges  against  the  accused  at 
the  ensuing  quarterly  conference,  which  shall  appoint  a 
prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the  accused, 
in  writing,  setting  forth  all  the  charges  preferred  against 
him.  He  shall  also  notify  him  to  choose  a  committeeman, 
the  prosecutor  choosing  a  committeeman  in  behalf  of 
the  Church,  and  these  two  a  third,  all  of  whom  shall  be 
elders,  before  whom  the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prose- 
cutor shall  also  notify  the  bishop  or  board  of  bishops, 
and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  bishop  or  the  board  of 


64  DISl  II'I.INK 

bishops  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of  trial,  giving 
not  less  than  twenty  nor  more  than  forty  days'  notice. 
The  bishop,  or  some  one  appointed  by  the  board  of 
bishops,  shall  act  as  chairman  in  the  case.  Should  a 
majority  of  the  committee  be  satisfied  that  the  accusation 
is  sustained,  they  shall  require  him  to  hold  his  peace 
until  the  sitting  of  his  conference,  where  he  shall  be  ac- 
countable, and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  to 
transmit,  in  writing,  to  said  conference,  the  entire  pro- 
ceedings of  said  trial,  where  the  accused  shall  have  a 
hearing  before  the  conference  or  a  committee  thereof, 
and  if  the  findings  are  sustained,  he  shall  be  suspended, 
expelled,  or  otherwise  dealt  with,  as  the  conference  may 
determine. 


CHAPTER  VII 

Itinerancy 

Section  I 

ITINERANTS. 

HoiD  Constituted. 

1.  All  members  of  the  annual  conference  who  offer 
themselves  without  reserve,  after  having  labored  two 
years  under  the  direction  of  the  stationing  committee, 
or  conference  superintendent,  and  have  been  received 
by  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  conference,  shall 
be  recognized  as  itinerants. 

Withdrawing  from  the  Itinerancy. 

2.  If  any  one  who  is  thus  received  shall  withdraw 
from  active  work  without  giving  satisfaction  to  the  con- 
ference of  which  he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not  be  entitled 
to  any  support  from  the  funds  belonging  to  said  confer- 
ence. And,  furthermore,  he  shall  not  re-enter  the  itin- 
erancy without  the  consent  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the 
conference.  Yet  local  and  retired  relations  shall  be  duly 
recognized  as  proper  disciplinary  relations,  and  may  be 
secured  to  any  brother  having  just  claims  thereto,  by  a 
vote  of  the  conference. 

Pastor's  Resignation. 

3.  If  a  pastor  after  duly  entering  upon  the  work  as- 
signed him  should  desire  to  leave  the  same  for  any 
reason,  he  shall  inform  the  conference  superintendent 
of  his  intention  in  writing,  at  least  thirty  days  before  his 
resignation  is  to  talce  effect,  and  satisfy  him  that  his 
full  proportion  of  the  benevolences  have  been  secured  in 
cash  or  good  subscriptions  and  that  all  other  obligations 
to  the  charge  have  been  satisfactorily  adjusted;  and 
should  said  minister  leave  or  neglect  his  charge,  except 
it  be  through  sickness  or  other  unavoidable  circum- 
stances, he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  next  annual  con- 
ference. 

Stationing   Committee. 

4.  The  bishop  and  conference  superintendents  of  the 
past    and    present    years    shall    constitute    a    stationing 

65 


66  DISCIPLINE 

committee,  whose  diitj^  it  shall  be  to  supply  all  the 
circuits,  stations  and  missions,  as  far  as  practicable, 
from  the  list  of  itinerants;  provided,  however,  that  where 
there  is  but  one  conference  superintendent  on  the  com- 
mittee, the  conference  may  elect  to  the  same  one  or  more 
elders  from  the  elders  not  asking  for  work  from  said 
committee. 

5.  The  stationing  committee  shall  have  at  least  two 
meetings  before  its  work  is  completed. 

Appeal  from  Stationing  Committee's  Report. 

6.  If  any  of  the  preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any  who 
may  not  receive  an  appointment,  are  dissatisfied,  they 
shall  have  a  right  to  appeal  to  the  annual  conference. 
If  two-thirds  grant  the  appeal,  the  decision  shall  be  final. 
In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  stationing 
committee,  no  preacher  stationed  by  said  committee  shall 
be  changed,  without  his  consent,  to  accommodate  the 
preacher  making  such  appeal.  In  no  case  shall  preachers 
be  permitted  to  exchange  charges,  except  in  the  manner 
provided  for  in  Chapter  VI,  Section  VII,  paragraph  12. 

Employment  of  Other  Preachers. 

7.  Should  there  not  be  enough  itinerants  to  supply  all 
the  circuits,  stations,  and  missions,  the  remaining 
charges  shall  be  supplied  by  the  stationing  committee  or 
conference  superintendents. 

Pastoral   Charges. 

8.  A  circuit  or  station  shall  not  consist  of  any  specific 
number  of  members  or  appointments;  but  when  the  an- 
nual conference  judges  it  able  to  support  a  minister,  it 
may  be  so  recognized. 

9.  The  pastor  shall  have  full  control  of  his  pulpit,  and 
no  board  of  trustees  shall  permit  any  one  to  preach  there- 
in without  his  consent. 


Section  II 

DUTIES    OF   itinerants. 

1.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  itinerant  ministers  to  work  in 
full  and  complete  harmony  with  the  plans  and  policies 
of  the  denomination,  and  to  report  to  their  annual  con- 
ferences either  in  person  or  by  letter  indicating  the 
character  of  work  in  which  they  are  engaged. 


JTINERANCY  67 

2.  It  is  the  duty  of  an  itinerant  pastor  to  accept  the 
appointment  given  him,  to  move  to  his  field  of  labor  if 
practicable,  and  to  report  his  work  regularly  and  prompt- 
ly as  the  conference  superintendent  may  require. 

3.  The  itinerant  pastor  shall  visit  regularly  the  ap- 
pointments on  his  charge,  preach  the  Word  of  God  to 
his  people,  and  endeavor  to  edify  and  instruct  all  in 
the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ;  he  shall  visit  the  sick,  com- 
fort those  in  sorrow,  counsel  those  in  error,  and  strength- 
en those  who  labor  under  temptation;  he  shall  converse 
with  his  members  touching  their  spiritual  condition, 
pray  at  the  family  altar,  hold  prayer-meetings  whenever 
practicable,  and  administer  relief  to  the  needy;  he  shall 
give  his  undivided  support  and  cooperation  to  all  the 
departments  of  Church  activity,  and  shall  work  in  full 
and  complete  harmony  with  the  plans  and  policies  of 
the  denomination. 

Correction  of  Church  Records. 

4.  He,  in  connection  with  the  official  board,  shall  at 
least  one  month  before  annual  conference  correct  the 
church  records.  This  work  is  to  be  essentially  clerical, 
and  in  no  sense  to  be  understood  as  an  investigation  or 
trial  of  any  member,  the  object  being  simply  to  see  that 
the  church  records  state  the  facts  as  to  who  are  and 
have  been  members.  The  name  of  no  member  shall  be 
erased  from  the  records  until  the  disciplinary  steps  have 
been  taken.     See  Chapter  IV,  Section  III,  paragraph  3. 

Annual  Reorganization. 

5.  He,  in  connection  with  the  official  board,  at  the 
time  v/hen  the  records  are  corrected,  shall  nominate  a 
steward  or  stewards,  to  be  elected  by  the  church  as  pro- 
vided for  in  Chapter  V,  Section  III,  paragraph  1.  He 
shall  see  that  class-leaders  are  elected  as  provided  for  in 
Chapter  V,  Section  I,  paragraph  2. 

Presiding  at  Trials. 

6.  He  shall  sit  as  president  at  the  trial  of  members 
and  see  that  a  correct  record  of  the  same  is  kept. 

Reports. 

7.  He  shall  render  a  strict  account  of  his  work  at 
each  quarterly  conference,  where  he  is  to  be  held  ac- 
countable for  neglect  of  duty. 


68  DISCIPLINE 

Circulation  of  Literature. 

8.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every  laudable  effort  to 
circulate  our  books  and  Church  periodicals,  and  to  use 
due  diligence  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Church 
printing  establishment. 

9.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to^  keep  a  list  of  the  names  of 
all  the  subscribers  to  our  Church  periodicals,  and  the 
time  of  subscribing,  at  the  different  appointments  on  his 
charge,  and  hand  it  over  to  his  successor  at  the  annual 
conference,  with  the  list  of  the  appointments.  He  shall 
also  report  the  number  of  subscribers  to  our  periodicals 
on  his  charge  at  each  quarterly  conference,  and  be  ex- 
amined by  the  conference  superintendent  and  quarterly 
conference  as  to  whether  he  performs  his  duty  in  cir- 
culating the  periodicals  of  the  Church  among  the  people. 

Disviissal  of  Appointments. 

10.  A  preacher  is  not  permitted  to  dismiss  any  appoint- 
ment from  his  circuit  or  mission  without  the  consent  of 
the  quarterly  conference. 

Records. 

11.  He  shall  procure  a  suitable  book  for  a  church 
record,  in  which  he  shall  register  all  the  appointments 
and  classes  on  his  circuit,  station,  or  mission,  in  regular 
order,  with  the  name  of  each  member  properly  recorded 
in  connection  -v/ith  his  own  class.  He  shall  also  make  a 
record  of  all  baptisms,  marriages,  deaths,  and  proceed- 
ings of  church  trials,  with  the  names  of  all  the  parties 
in  each  case.  He  shall  report  this  record  v.'ith  the  pro- 
ceedings therein  to  the  last  quarterly  conference  of  each 
year  for  approval  or  improvement.  This  book  shall  be 
the  property  of  the  quarterly  conference,  and  shall  be  in 
addition  to  the  regular  class-books  and  circuit  books. 

General  Collections. 

12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  preacher  in  charge  of 
a  field  of  labor  to  collect  the  annual  amounts  apportioned 
to  his  charge  for  the  benevolence  budget  and  conference 
superintendents,  and  also  all  other  conference  apportion- 
ments. And  should  he  fail  to  collect  in  full  and  not  be 
able  to  give  satisfactory  reason  for  such  a  failure,  he 
shall  be  accountable  to  the  annual  conference. 


ITINERANCY  69 

Missionary  Contributiotis. 

13  He  shall  preach  missionary  sermons,  and  by  a 
careful  study  of  conditions  use  such  plans  as  shall  edu- 
cate his  people  in  the  privilege  of  giving,  and  secure  the 
largest  possible  contributions.  He  shall  be  held  to 
strict  account  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties. 
The  publication  of  the  names  of  the  donors  shall  be  left 
to  the  option  of  each  annual  conference. 

Pastoral  Visiting. 

14.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
station  or  circuit  to  give  as  much  of  his  time  as  possible 
to  visiting  the  families  under  his  charge,  and  to  pay 
strict  attention  to  the  young  members  under  his  care. 
This  private  work  of  visiting  from  house  to  house  and 
exhorting  the  people  is  founded  on  these  solemn  words 
of  the  apostle:  "I  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable 
unto  you,  but  have  shewed  you,  and  have  taught  you 
publicly,  and  from  house  to  house"  (Acts  20:20.) 

Home  Training  of  Children. 

15.  Because  of  the  powerful  and  far-reaching  influ- 
ence of  home  life  upon  the  young,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  each  pastor  to  direct  the  attention  of  his  people  to 
the  vital  importance  of  family  government  and  Chris- 
tian nurture.  He  shall  do  this  publicly  and  privately 
by  directing  attention  to  books  and  periodicals  giving 
helpful  instruction  upon  this  subject,  and  also  by  pre- 
senting in  his  public  ministrations  the  teachings  of 
God's  Word  respecting  the  duty  of  parents  to  train  up 
their  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord. 

Bible  Cause. 

16.  Tt  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  pastor  to  observe  one 
Sunday  each  year  in  the  month  of  May  as  Bible  Sunday, 
when  he  shall  preach  an  appropriate  sermon  and  take 
an  offering  for  the  Bible  cause.  This  offering  shall  be 
forwarded  to  the  conference  treasurer,  and  by  him  to  the 
Bible  society  which  operates  the  territory  where  the 
offering  is  taken. 


70  DISCIPLINE 

Section  III. 

PREACHERS'    SALARIES. 

1.  The  salary  of  a  pastor  shall  be  such  amount  as 
may  be  agreed  upon  between  him  and  the  quarterly 
conference  of  the  field  of  labor  to  which  he  is  sent;  and 
said  agreement  shall  be  a  valid  contract  between  the 
parties  thereto.  When  a  charge  owns  a  parsonage,  or 
rents  a  house  for  the  pastor  to  live  in,  the  charge  shall 
have  credit  for  the  same  by  the  pastor  reporting  as  so 
much  salary  the  amount  the  parsonage  would  rent  for 
or  the  amount  paid  for  the  rented  house. 

2.  A  missionary  employed  by  the  board  of  missions 
shall  receive  such  salary  as  in  the  judgment  of  the 
board  may  be  proper. 

Parsonage  and  Moving  of  Preacher. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  circuit  or  station,  when  a 
preacher  is  sent  to  it  by  the  annual  conference,  to  pro- 
vide a  house  and  move  the  preacher  at  its  own  expense 
from  any  point  within  the  bounds  of  the  conference. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

Deaconess  Work. 

Section  I 

DEACONESSES. 

1.  When  any  sister  of  suitable  age,  health,  ability, 
culture,  and  piety,  led  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  wishes  to  be- 
come a  deaconess,  she  may  receive  a  recommendation 
to  the  quarterly  conference  from  the  class  where  she 
holds  her  membership.  If,  after  examination  by  the 
conference  superintendent,  or  a  committee  appointed  by 
him,  she  is  approved  by  the  quarterly  conference,  she 
shall  receive  license  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  deaconess 
in  the  local  church,  said  license  subject  to  annual  re- 
newal. 

2.  Her  duties  shall  be  to  visit  from  house  to  house, 
reading,  praying,  singing,  teaching,  exhorting,  or  com- 
forting the  people,  as  the  case  may  require;  to  nurse  or 
otherwise  minister  to  the  sick  and  needy;  to  solicit 
funds  or  supplies  and  distribute  the  same;  all  under  the 
direction  of  the  pastor  to  whom  she  shall  report  as  often 
as  he  may  require;  she  shall  not,  however,  be  required 
to  look  after  the  finances  of  the  Church. 

3.  A  uniform  costume  may  be  worn  to  distinguish 
and  protect  her. 

4.  The  deaconess  work  is  a  high  and  holy  calling  for 
sacrificial  service.  Each  local  church  must  provide  for 
any  necessary  expense  attending  this  work,  and  such 
salary  as  may  be  mutually  agreed  upon,  always,  however, 
encouraging  those  who  enter  upon  this  service  to  do  so 
for  the  love  of  Christ  and  humanity. 

5.  No  one  shall  be  required  to  make  a  perpetual  vow 
in  this  work,  and  any  one  may  retire  from  this  office  at 
pleasure  after  giving  the  pastor  the  proper  notice. 

6.  The  deaconess  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly 
conference  where  she  serves,  and  shall  be  responsible  to 
it  for  her  moral  and  official  character. 

7.  If  the  deaconess  is  deficient  in  any  of  the  common 
school  studies,  she  must  pass  examination  in  these,  along 
with  the  prescribed  course  of  study.  The  conference 
superintendent  and  pastor  shall  conduct  the  examination 

71 


72  DISCIPLINE 

in  writing  annually,  or  a  part  of  the  course  quarterly,  as 
the  candidate  may  desire.  The  faculty  of  Bonebrake 
Seminary  shall  prepare  suitable  questions  on  each  book, 
as  in  the  case  of  annual-conference  preachers. 

8.  She  shall  complete  the  course  of  study  within 
three  years  or  her  license  shall  not  be  renewed.  (See 
Course  of  Study,  Chapter  IX,  Section  IV.) 

On  the  completion  of  the  course  of  study,  and  two 
years'  practical  work  under  the  direction  of  a  pastor,  or 
an  equivalent  course  in  an  approved  training  school,  or 
literary  school  providing  such  courses,  the  deaconess 
shall  be  consecrated  to  this  service  by  a  bishop  or  confer- 
ence superintendent  and  receive  a  permanent  license. 

Any  deaconess  desirous  of  becoming  a  nurse  should 
take  the  course  of  training  for  that  purpose  in  a  school 
connected  with  a  good  hospital. 

Section  II 
Deaconess  Homes. 
The  board  of  bishops  shall  constitute  a  board  of  man- 
agement of  homes  for  deaconesses,  and  when  a  majority 
of  the  pastors  of  our  Church  in  a  city  or  conference  wish 
to  establish  such  a  home,  they  must  first  submit  their 
plans  to  the  board  of  bishops  at  one  of  their  annual 
meetings,  and  if  the  matter  is  approved  by  the  board  it 
shall  prepare  rules  and  regulations  by  which  such  home 
shall  be  founded  and  managed. 


CHAPTER  IX 

Courses  of  Study. 

Section  I 

QUARTERUY-COXFERFXCE    PREACHERS. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  person  receiving  a 
quarterly-conference  license  to  preach  to  pursue  the  fol- 
lowing course  of  study: 

Books  to  be  Studied — 

Bible — Exodus,  Matthew,  and  John. 

United  Brethren  Handbook — Shuey-Shupe. 

United  Brethren  Discipline. 

The  Preacher,  His  Life  and  Work — Jow'ett. 

Sunday  School  in  Action — Brewbaker. 

Binney's  Theological  Compend — Binney-Steele. 

Bible  History — ^Blaikie. 

Confession  of  Faith — Weaver. 

Books  to  be  Read — 

Life  of  Otterbein— Drury. 

Our  Heroes,  Vols.  I  and  II — Weekley  and  Font. 

Life  of  Vera  B.  Blinn— Smith. 

From  Survey  to  Service — Douglass. 

The  Why  and  How  of  Foreign  Missions — Brown. 

Individual  Work  for  Individuals — Trumbull. 

Christ  in  the  Life  of  Today — Mathews. 

Life  of  Bishop  Mills — Funk. 

Torches  Aloft— Bell. 

Three  books,  at  least,  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Examinations. 

2.  The  conference  superintendent,  or  a  committee  ap- 
pointed by  him,  shall  hold  examinations  each  year  in  the 
books  studied.  A  quarterly-conference  licentiate  is  per- 
mitted to  complete  the  entire  course  in  one  year;  but 
should  he  fail  to  complete  the  course  within  three  years 
his  license-  shall  not  be  subject  to  renewal.  He  is  re- 
quired to  complete  the  quarterly-conference  course  of 
study  before  being  admitted  to  the  annual  conference. 

Permanent  License. 

3.  Any  one  completing  the  above  course  of  study  and 
passing    satisfactory    examinations    in    the    same,    may 

73 


74  DISCIPLINE 

receive  a  license  certifying  to  that  fact,  and  not  requir- 
ing annual  renewal,  so  long  as  his  teaching  is  conform- 
able to  the  doctrines  of  Christ,  as  held  by  our  Church, 
and  his  deportment  is  in  harmony  with  the  require- 
ments of  our  Discipline. 

Section  II 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE    PREACHERS. 

Examinations. 

1.  A  licentiate  preacher  is  to  be  examined  in  the  sub- 
joined course  of  study  by  the  annual  conference  to  which 
he  belongs,  and  shall  have  the  privilege  of  being  ex- 
amined after  the  completion  of  one  or  more  studies  dur- 
ing the  interim  of  annual  conferences,  and  the  examina- 
tions on  his  studies  shall  be  completed,  if  possible,  before 
the  sitting  of  the  conference.  The  examinations  shall  be 
in  writing,  and  graded  on  a  scale  of  100,  an  average  of 
70  being  required. 

There  shall  be  a  standing  secretary  for  the  commit- 
tees on  courses  of  study  who  shall  keep  permanent  rec- 
ords of  each  licentiate,  of  his  examinations,  by  whom 
conducted,  the  grades  given  in  each  book  or  study,  note 
the  completion  of  his  course,  when  ordained,  transferred, 
or  dismissed. 

A  book  shall  be  provided  by  the  annual  conference 
for  this  purpose  and  shall  be  preserved  as  the  property 
of  the  conference. 

2.  To  assist  and  encourage  licentiates  in  their  studies 
and  also  for  the  purpose  of  securing  greater  uniformity 
and  efficiency  in  the  examination,  the  following  plan 
shall  be  pursued:  The  faculty  of  The  Bonebrake  Theo- 
logical Seminary  shall  prepare  a  list  of  from  fifty  to  two 
hundred  questions  on  each  subject  of  study,  as  the  sub- 
ject may  require,  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  ex- 
aminers only.  The  faculty  shall  likewise  prepare  a  list 
of  helpful  suggestions  on  each  subject  for  the  student, 
to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  student,  at  the  beginning 
of  each  year  of  study.  The  examiners  on  course  of  study 
shall  select  without  the  knowledge  of  the  licentiate  ten 
or  more  of  these  questions  on  each  subject  for  examina- 
tion, the  examination  always  being  conducted  in  the 
presence  of  one  or  more  of  the  examiners.  Each  licen- 
tiate shall  also  present  a  written  sermon  in  connection 
with  the  examination  of  each  year.     The  sermon  for  the 


COURSES  OF  STUDY  75 

first  year's  examination  shall  be  upon  a  practical  theme; 
for  the  second  year,  a  doctrinal;  for  the  third  year,  a 
historical,  and  for  the  fourth  year,  a  social.  If  any 
licentiate  is  unable  to  appear  before  his  examiners  he 
shall  report  the  cause  of  his  absence. 

Completing  the  Course. 

3.  Each  licentiate  is  expected  to  complete  the  pre- 
scribed course  \vithin  four  years,  unless  good  reasons 
exist  for  delay. 

4.  Should  any  licentiate  fail  to  complete  the  course 
within  six  years,  he  shall  be  referred  to  his  quarterly 
conference  and  his  annual-conference  license  sur- 
rendered. 

5.  Any  licentiate  who  has  completed  the  full  course 
of  study  in  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  and  has 
passed  the  examinations  entitling  him  to  a  diploma  from 
that  institution,  shall  be  excused  from  examinations  in 
the  annual-conference  course  of  study. 

6.  The  course  of  study  for  annual-conference  preach- 
ers is  as  follows: 

First  Year. 
Books  to  be  Studied — 
The  Teaching  of  Christ — Morgan. 
World  Facts  and  America's  Responsibility — Patton. 
Extemporaneous  Oratory — Buckley. 
United    Brethren    Church    History — (In    preparation.) 
Making  of  a  Sermon — Pattison. 
How  to  Teach  Religion — Betts. 

Commit  to  Memory — 

The  Ten  Commandments,  Psalms  1  and  2,  and  the 
Beatitudes. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Cyclopedic  Handbook  to  the  Bible,  Old  Testament — 
Angus-Green. 

With  Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer — Murray. 

Our  Bishops — Thompson. 

Personal  Life  of  David  Livingstone — Blaikie. 

The  Worker  and  His  Bible — Eiselen. 

Winning  the  Oregon  Country — Paris. 

The  Glory  of  the  Ministry — Robertson. 

The  Graded  Sunday  School  in  Principle  and  Practice — 
Meyer. 

Three  books,  at  least,  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 


76  DISCIPLINE 

Second  Year. 

Books  to  J)e  SUidiecl — 

Prophecy  and  the  Prophets — Eiselen. 

Ambassadors  of  God — ^CadiDan. 

United  Brethren  Church    History — (In   preparation.) 

Apologetics — Kephart. 

Fundamentals  of  Child  Study — Kirkpatrick. 

Exegetical  Studies — ^Galatians  (Cambridge  Bible),  I 
and  II  Timothy  and  Titus  (Cambridge  Bible), — Use 
either  the  Cambridge  Bible  for  Schools  and  Colleges, 
or  Dummelow's  Commentary. 

Commit  to  Memory — 

Isaiah,  fifty-third  chapter;  First  Corinthians,  thir- 
teenth chapter. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Cyclopedic  Handbook  to  the  Bible,  New  Testament — 
Angus-Green. 

Life  of  Weaver- — Thompson. 

Autobiography  of  Finney. 

The  Church  of  the  Open  Country — Wilson. 

Crises  of  the  Christ — Morgan. 

The  Bible — Its  Origin  and  Nature — Dods. 

The  Indwelling  Spirit — Davison. 

The  Foreign  Missionary^ — Brown. 

The  Point  of  Contact  in  Teaching — DuBois. 

Three  books,  at  least,  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Third  Year. 

Books  to  he  Studied — 

Outlines  of  Doctrinal  Theology — Drury,  pp.  1-99. 

Church  History — Fisher,  pp.  1-2S6. 

Human  Behavior — Calvin  and  Bagley. 

The  Pastor  Preacher— Quayle. 

Reasonable  Biblical  Criticism — Beecher. 

Exegetical  Studies — Amos  (Cambridge  Bible),  and 
Philippians  (Cambridge  Bible). — Use  Cambridge  Bible 
for  Schools  and  Colleges  or  Dum^meJow's  Commentary. 

Commit  to  Memory — 

Acts  17:22-31;  Psalm  34. 

Books  to  Read — 

Jesus  Christ  and  the  Social  Question — Peabody. 

Problem  of  the  Old  Testament— Orr. 


COUKSES  OF  STUDY  77 

The  Spiritual  Life — Murray. 

The  Romance  of  Preaching — Home. 

Building  a  Working  Church — Black. 

Christianizing  the  Social  Order — Rauschenbusch. 

The  Inner  Witness  of  the  Fourth  Gospel — Keister. 

Rural  Christendom — Roads. 

Three  books,  at  least,  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Fourth  Year. 
Books  to  he  Studied — ■ 

Outlines  of  Doctrinal  Theology — Drury,  pp.  100  to  end. 
j:;hurch  History — Fisher,  pp.  287  to  end. 
The  Building  of  the  Church — Jefferson. 
Christianity  and  Ethics — Alexander. 
Jesus  and  the  Gospel — Denney. 
The  Virgin  Birth  of  Christ— Orr. 
The  Church  School — Athearn. 

Books  to  be  Read — 

Social  Message  of  the  Modern  Pulpit — Brown. 

Christianity  and  the  Social  Crisis — Rauschenbusch. 

Ideal  Ministry — Johnson. 

Pastoral  and  Personal  Evangelism — Goodell. 

The  Light  of  the  World— Speer. 

Things  Fundamental — Jefferson. 

Introduction  to  the  Study  of  Economics — Bullock. 

The  Resurrection  of  Jesus — Orr. 

Life  of  Mueller — Pierson. 

Philosophy  of  Theism — Bowne. 

Four  books,  at  least,  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Correspondence  Course. 

7.  The  faculty  of  The  Bonebrake  Theological  Semin- 
ary shall  outline  a  correspondence  course  of  study  sep- 
arate and  distinct  from  the  above  course  of  study  for 
annual-conference  preachers. 

8.  The  trustees  of  The  Bonebrake  Theological  Sem- 
inary shall  furnish  such  additional  help  to  the  faculty 
as  may  be  needed  to  carry  on  the  work  of  a  correspond- 
ence study  department,  and  shall  fix  the  enrollment  fees 
for  students  desiring  to  pursue  the  correspondence 
course. 

9.  The  correspondence  course  shall  be  offered  to 
annual  conference  licentiates  as  an  alternative  course 
in  preparation  for  ordination  to  the  gospel  ministry  in 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  stu- 


78  DISCIPLINE 

dqnts  pursuing  this  course  shall  be  given  such  academic 
credit  toward  the  diploma  of  and  graduation  by  The 
Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary  as  the  board  of  trustees 
and  the  faculty  of  the  Seminary  may  jointly  determine. 
10.  Candidates  who  elect  to  take  the  correspondence 
course,  or  part  thereof,  may  be  excused  to  that  extent 
from  pursuing  the  study  course  of  the  annual  confer- 
ence on  condition  that  they  report  to  their  respective  an- 
nual conference  committees  the  progress  which  they 
have  made  in  the  preceding  year  toward  the  completion 
of  their  studies  with  the  grades  obtained,  as  required  of 
all  other  candidates. 

Section  III 

German  Course  of  Study. 

quarterly-conference  preachers. 

First  Yeai-. 

Doctrines. — The   presence   of   God,   the    personality   of 

God,  the  Trinity,  the  creation,  the  fall  of  man. 

Books. — The  Bible,  Discipline  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  "Christlich-Apostolisches  Glaubens — Bekennt- 
niss,"  by  W.  Nast,  "Christologische  Betrachtungen,"  by 
W.  Nast. 

Second  Year. 

Doctrines. — The  corruption  of  mankind,  repentance, 
faith,  justification,  regeneration,  witness  of  the  Spirit, 
sanctification,  possibility  of  falling  from  grace. 

Books. — The  Bible,  U.  B.  Church  Discipline,  Hare's 
"Rechtfertigung  durch  den  Glauben,"  D'Aubigne's 
"Reformations-Geschichte,"  "Bekampfung  des  Unglaub- 
ens,"  by  Christlieb. 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE    PREACHERS. 

First  Year. 

Doctrines. — The  being  and  attributes  of  God,  the 
Trinity,  the  creation,  the  doctrine  of  the  angels,  the  doc- 
trine of  mankind,  man  in  the  image  of  God,  the  fall  and 
the  corruption. 

Books. — The    Bible;    U.    B.    Church    Discipline;     Sulz- 
berger's      "Glaubenslehre" — First       Part;       Luthardt's 
"Apologetische  Vortrage"— First  Part;  Dr.  Joseph  Beck's 
"Grundriss     der     Emplrischen     Psychologie";      Kurtz's 


COURSES  OF  STTDY  79 

Text-Book  on  Sacred  History;  History  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church  (In  preparation);  Nippert's  "Prak- 
tische  Theologie";  Grammatik,  Heise's  "Leitfaden — 
Die  Wortlehre";  written  sermon  on  the  Sabbath. 

Second  Year. 

Doctrines. — The  doctrines  of  Jesus  Christ,  doctrine  of 
the  personality  and  divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  doctrine 
of  the  salvation  of  man,  conviction,  repentance,  faith, 
justification,  regeneration,  sanctification,  possibility  of 
falling  from  grace. 

Books.— The  Bible;  U.  B.  Church  Discipline;  Sulz- 
berger's "Glaubenslehre" — Second  Part;  Luthardt's 
"Apologetische  Vortrage" — Second  Part;  Weber's  "Einlei- 
tung  in  die  Heiligen  Schriften";  "Das  Christliche  Heil- 
sleben,"  by  F.  F.  Paulus;  Bishop  Hurst's  Church  History; 
Dittmar's  "Welt-Geschichte' — First  Part;  Grammatik, 
Heise's  "Leitfaden — Die  Satzlehre";  written  sermon  on 
repentance  and  faith. 

Third  Year. 

Doctrines. — The  sacraments — ^baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  the  immorality  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of 
the  body,  the  future  general  judgment,  everlasting  re- 
wards, and  everlasting  punishment. 

Books.— The  Bible;  U.  B.  Church  Discipline;  Sulz- 
berger's "Glaubenslehre" — Third  Part;  the  Immortality 
of  the  Soul,  by  F.  L.  Nagler;  D'Aubigne's  "Reformations- 
Geschichte";  H.  Dittmar's  "Welt-Geschichte" — Second 
Part;  Heise's  Grammatik — Wiederholung;  W.  Sommer's 
"Auf satzlehre";   written  sermon  on  baptism. 

Books  Recommended. 
Jellinghaus's    "Das    Vollige    Heil,"    and    C.    H.    Spur- 
geon's  "Winke  fiir  Prediger,"  oder  23  Vorlesungen. 

Section  IV 

DEACONESS  COURSE  OF  STUDY. 

First  Year. 
Books  to  be  Studied — 

Synthetic  Bible  Studies,  Pentateuch  and  Historical 
Books — Gray. 

With  Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer — Murray. 

Life  of  Christ— Stalker. 

United  Brethren  Handbook — Shuey-Shupe. 


80  DISCIPLINE 

United  Brethren  Discipline. 
How  to  Teach  Religion — Betts. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

History  of  the  United  Brethren  Church — (In  prepara- 
tion.) 

How  to  Bring  Men  to  Christ — Torrey. 
Seven  Laws  of  Teaching — Gregory. 

Commit  to  Memory — 
Psalms  2,  23,  and  34. 

Second  Year. 
Books  to  he  Studied- 
Synthetic  Bible  Studies,  New  Testament — Gray. 
History  of  the  Deaconess  Movement — Golder. 
The  Teacher  and  Pupil — Weigle. 
Quiet  Talks  on  Power — ^Gordon. 
Binney's  Theological  Compend — Binney-Steele. 
Life  of  St.  Paul— Stalker. 
Study  of  Child  Life— Mary  Washburn. 

Books  to  he  Read — 
The  Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

History  of  the  United  Brethren  Church — (In  prepara- 
tion.) 

Bible  Geography — Hurlbut. 
Text-Book  of  Nursing — Weeks-Shaw. 

Commit  to  Memory — 

The  Beatitudes;  First  Corinthians,  Thirteenth  Chapter. 

GERMAN   COURSE   OF    STUDY   FOR   DEACONESSES. 

Buecher  fuer  Gemeinde-Diakonissen  Studien-Kursus. 

Erstes  Jahr. 
Die  deutsche  Bibel.      (a)    Altes  Testament,   I   Mose — 
2-ten  Chronika.     (b)  Neues  Testament,  Die  Evangelien. 
Life  of  Christ— Stalker. 

Geschichte  der  weiblichen  Diakonie — Golder. 
Manual  of  Bible  Study— Blaikie. 
History  of  the  Deaconess  Movement — Golder. 
In  der  Schule  des  Gebets — Murray. 

Buecher  Angeraten  zu  Lesen. 
Des  Christen  Geheimniss  eines  verborgenen  Lebens — 
H.  W.  Smith. 

Life  of  Christ — Edersheim. 

How  to  Bring  Men  to  Christ — Torrey. 


COURSES  OF  STITDY  81 

Zweites  Jahr. 

Die  deutsche  Bibel.  (a)  Altes  Testament,  Esra — 
Maleachi.  (b)  Neiies  Testament,  Apostelgeschichte  bis 
Offb.  Johannes. 

Binney's  Theological  Compend — ^Binney-Steele. 

Heilige  Geschichte — Sulzberger. 

Calwer  Kirchengeshichte. 

Life  of  St.  Paul — Stalker. 

Social  Law  of  Service — Ely. 

Die  Krankenpflege — Duembling. 

Buecher  Angeraten  zu  Lcsen. 
Text-book  of  Nursing — Weeks-Shaw. 
Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

Vereinigte  Brueder  Kirchengeschichte — Berger. 
Groesserer  Katechisms — Nast. 


CHAPTER  X 
Appeals. 
Section  I 

FROM  THE  DECISION   OF   A   CLASS. 

SiioiLi)  any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision 
of  a  church  or  class,  or  committee  of  a  church  or  class,  an 
appeal  may  be  had  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  by 
giving  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  the 
secretary  of  the  trial,  within  thirty  days  after  said  trial, 
together  with  the  reasons  for  such  appeal;  and  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  the  quarterly  con- 
ference with  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
trial  and  of  the  notice  of  the  appeal. 

Section  II 

FROM    THE    decision    OF    A    QUARTERLY    CONFERENCE. 

Any  member  of  a  quarterly  conference  dissatisfied 
with  the  decision  thereof,  may  appeal  to  the  ensuing 
annual  conference,  within  thirty  days  after  the  quarterly 
conference,  by  giving  notice  to  the  secretary,  in  writing, 
of  his  intention  to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for 
so  doing;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  fur- 
nish a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification, 
and  the  reasons  assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

Section  III 

COURT  OF  APPEALS. 

1.  Any  member  of  an  annual  conference,  when  dis- 
satisfied with  the  decision  thereof,  shall  have  a  right 
to  appeal  to  a  judicial  court,  which  shall  be  constituted 
and  governed  as  hereinafter  stated. 

2.  Each  annual  conference,  at  the  first  session  subse- 
quent to  the  session  of  the  General  Conference,  shall 
elect  by  ballot  two  members  of  the  court,  who  shall  hold 
ofifice  for  four  consecutive  years. 

3.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  an  annual  conference  in 
form  and  manner  hereinafter  set  forth,  the  presiding 
bishop  of  said  conference  shall,  at  such  time  and  place 
as  he  may  determine,  call  together  seven  of  the  members 
of  the  court  most  accessible  to  the  conference  from  which 
the  appeal  is  taken,  who,  thus  called  together,  shall  con- 

82 


APPEALS  80 

stitiite  an   appellate   court   to   hear   and   determine   said 
appeal. 

4.  This  court  shall  organize  by  electing  a  chairman 
and  some  competent  person  as  secretary. 

5.  The  secretary  shall  receive  and  hald  all  papers 
and  records  pertaining  to  said  appeal,  subject  to  the 
order  of  the  chairman;  keep  a  true  record  of  all  pro- 
ceedings of  said  court,  and  certify  the  decision  thereof 
to  the  annual  conference  from  which  the  appeal  is  taken, 
and  also  to  the  appellant. 

G.  Five  of  these  members  shall  be  necessary  to  consti- 
tute a  quorum,  and  four  must  agree  on  a  verdict.  The 
court  may  affirm  or  reverse  the  finding  and  decision  of 
the  annual  conference,  or  affirm  in  part  and  reverse  in 
part;  but  it  shall  not  reverse  the  same,  nor  remand  the 
case  for  a  new  trial  on  account  of  errors  plainly  not 
affecting  the  result. 

7.  The  decision  of  this  court  shall  in  all  cases  be  final, 
except  when  the  objections  are  taken  on  the  ground  that 
the  proceedings  were  irregular  in  the  application  of  law, 
and  said  objections  are  entered  before  the  verdict  of  the 
court  is  announced.  In  case  of  appeal  from  the  court 
under  this  clause,  the  appellant  must  give  notice  within 
thirty  days  to  the  secretary  of  the  court,  ^ho  shall  send 
a  copy  of  all  proceedings  in  said  case  to  the  General 
Conference. 

8.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  an  annual 
conference,  the  appellant  must  give  w-ritten  notice  to  the 
secretary  of  said  conference  within  thirty  days  after  the 
adjournment  thereof,  setting  forth  both  his  intention  to 
appeal  and  the  reasons  for  so  doing. 

9.  On  receipt  of  a  notice  of  appeal,  the  secretary  of 
the  conference  shall  immediately  notify  the  presiding 
bishop,  and,  on  notice  from  said  bishop,  transmit  a  copy 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  conference  in  said  case  to  said 
court  of  appeal. 

10.  The  necessary  expenses  incurred  in  the  assem- 
bling of  said  court  shall  be  paid  by  the  appellant,  if  the 
appeal  is  not  sustained;  if  the  appeal  is  sustained,  the 
annual  conference  in  which  the  appeal  is  made  shall 
pay  the  expenses,  and  the  appellant  shall,  in  all  cases,  at 
the  time  the  notice  of  appeal  is  given,  deposit  with  the 
secretary  of  said  annual  conference  security  for  the 
payment  of  said  expenses,  in  an  amount  fixed  by  said 
secretary. 


PART  III 

Social  Service  and  Moral  Reform 

CHAPTER  XI 

Special  Rttles. 

Section  I 

SOCIAL    SERVICE. 

Inasmuch  as  existing  social  and  industrial  conditions 
call  for  wise  and  firm  leadership  from  the  churches,  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  stands: 

1.  For  equal  rights  and  complete  justice  for  all  men 
in  all  stations  of  life. 

2.  For  the  protection  of  the  family,  by  the  single 
standard  of  purity,  uniform  divorce  laws,  proper  regula- 
tion of  marriage,  and  proper  housing. 

3.  For  the  fullest  possible  development  for  every 
child,  especially  by  the  provision  of  proper  education 
and  recreation. 

4.  For  the  abolition  of  child  labor. 

5.  For  such  regulation  of  the  conditions  of  toil  for 
women  as  shall  safeguard  the  physical  and  moral  health 
of  the  community. 

6.  For  such  consideration  of  the  causes  of  poverty  as 
will  lead  to  their  prevention  and  abatement. 

7.  For  the  absolute  prohibition  of  the  manufacture 
and  sale  of  alcoholic  liquor  by  state  and  federal  enact- 
ment because  of  the  social,  economic,  and  moral  waste 
of  the  liquor  traffic. 

8.  For  the  conservation  of  health. 

9.  For  the  protection  of  the  worker  from  dangerous 
machinery,  occupational  diseases,  and  mortality. 

10.  For  the  right  of  all  men  to  the  opportunity  for 
self-maintenance,  for  safe-guarding  this  right  against  en- 
croachments of  every  kind,  and  for  the  protection  of 
workers  from  the  hardships  of  enforced  employment. 

11.  For  old  age  and  unemployment  insurance,  and  for 
adequate  federal  action  touching  our  unemployment 
problem. 

12.  For  the  right  of  employees  and  employers  alike 
to  organize  for  adequate  means  of  conciliation  and  arbi- 
tration in  industrial  disputes. 

84 


SOCIAL    SERVICE    AND    MORAL   REFORM  85 

13.  For  a  release  from  employment  one  day  in  seven. 

14.  For  the  gradual  and  reasonable  reduction  of  the 
hours  of  labor  to  the  lowest  practicable  point,  and  for 
that  degree  of  leisure  for  all  which  is  a  condition  of  the 
highest  human  life. 

15.  For  a  living  wage  as  a  minimum  in  every  indus- 
try, and  for  tlie  highest  wage  that  each  industry  can 
afford. 

IG.  For  a  new  emphasis  upon  the  application  of  Chris- 
tian principles  to  the  acquisition  and  use  of  property, 
and  for  the  most  equitable  division  of  the  product  of  in- 
dustry that  can  ultimately  be  devised. 


Section  II 

TEMPERANCE. 

Intoxicating  Drinks. 

1.  The  making,  vending,  and  using  of  intoxicating 
drinks  as  a  beverage,  the  renting  and  leasing  of  property 
to  be  used  for  the  manufacture  or  sale  of  such  drinks, 
also  the  signing  of  petitions  for  granting  license,  or  the 
entering  as  bondsmen  for  persons  engaged  in  the  traffic 
in  intoxicating  drinks,  are  strictly  prohibited;  and  should 
any  of  our  members  be  found  guilty  in  these  respects, 
they  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  the  case  of  other  im- 
moralities; this  rule,  however,  shall  not  be  so  construed 
as  to  prevent  druggists  and  others  from  the  vending  and 
using  of  alcohol  for  medicinal  or  mechanical  purposes. 

Temperance  Comviission. 

2.  There  shall  be  a  permanent  temperance  commis- 
sion, consisting  of  one  minister  and  one  layman  from 
each  bishop's  district,  to  be  appointed  by  the  board  of 
bishops.  The  duties  of  this  commission  shall  be:  To 
keep  in  close  touch  with  similar  organizations  in  other 
churches;  to  appoint  or  to  authorize  the  appointment  of 
delegates  to  local  or  national  bodies;  to  collect  funds  for 
the  expenses  of  correspondence  and  suitable  literature. 

3.  The  last  Sunday  in  November  of  each  year  shall  be 
observed  as  Temperance  Day,  but  where  an  annual  field- 
day  is  observed  under  the  auspices  of  an  organized 
temperance  agency  this  shall  be  a  substitute,  when  de- 
sirable, for  the  Temperance  Day. 


86  DISCIPLINE 

Tobacco. 
4.  We  believe  that  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form  is 
injurious  to  body,  mind,  and  moral  nature,  and  a  need- 
less waste  of  money  whicti  could  and  should  be  other 
M'ise  applied;  and  we  kindly  advise  all  our  members  to 
abstain  from  its  use. 

Section  III 

SABBATH    OBSERVANCE. 

The  Sabbath  day  is  ordained  of  God  as  a  day  of  phy- 
sical rest  and  of  spiritual  improvement,  and  the  per- 
petuity of  our  civil  and  religious  institutions  demands 
its  proper  observance.  The  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  in  view  of  the  growing  tendency  to  profane 
the  day,  as  seen  in  the  open  saloon,  the  beer-garden,  the 
baseball  games,  the  social  dance,  excursion  trains,  un- 
necessary labor,  the  increasing  apathy  of  the  masses  to 
attend  the  public  service  of  the  church,  and  the  disregard 
of  God's  command  to  "remember  the  sabbath  day  to  keep 
it  holy,"  earnestly  counsels  all  its  members  to  abstain 
from  everything  that  does  not  contribute  in  the  highest 
degree  to  their  spiritual  growth.  Our  ministers  and 
general  officers  of  the  Church  are  advised  to  be  examples 
to  the  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  them 
overseers. 

Section  IV 

SLAVERY. 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  is  totally  pro- 
hibited, and  shall  in  no  way  be  tolerated  in  our  Church.' 

Section  V 
secret  combinations. 

1.  A  secret  combination  is  a  secret  league  or  confed- 
eration of  persons  holding  principles  and  laws  at  vari- 
ance with  the  Word  of  God  and  injurious  to  Christian 
character,  as  evidenced  in  individual  life,  and  infringing 
upon  the  natural,  social,  political,  or  religious  rights  of 
those  outside  its  pale. 

2.  Any  member  or  minister  of  our  Church  found  in 
connection  with  such  combination  shall  be  dealt  with  as 


'This  law,  in  itis  essential  character,  was  adopted  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  1821,  Bishaps  Newcomer  and  Zeller  presiding. 


SOCIAL    SEKVICE    AXU    MORAL    REFORM  hi 

in  other  cases  of  disobedience  to  the  order  and  discipline 
of  the  Church;  in  case  of  members,  as  found  in  Chapter 
IV,  Section  III,  and  in  case  of  ministers,  as  found  in 
Chapter  VI,  Section  X. 

Section  VI 

OATHS. 

We  believe  that  the  mode  of  testifying  to  the  truth 
when  required  to  do  so  in  a  legal  form,  by  way  of 
affirmation,  is  on  us  solemnly,  conscientiously,  and  fully 
binding,  before  God,  to  tell  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and 
nothing  but  the  truth. 

Section  VII 

WAR. 

We  most  positively  record  our  disapproval  of  engaging 
in  voluntary  national  aggressive  warfare;  yet  we  recog- 
nize the  rightful  authority  of  the  civil  government,  and 
hold  it  responsible  for  the  preservation  and  defense  of 
our  national  compact  against  treason  or  invasion  by  any 
belligerent  force,  and  we  believe  it  to  be  entirely  consis- 
tent with  the  spirit  of  Christianity  to  bear  arms  when 
called  upon  to  do  so  by  the  properly  constituted  authori- 
ties of  our  Government  for  its  preservation  and  defense. 

Section  VIII 

DIVORCE. 

1.  We  believe  that  the  marriage  relation  is  of  divine 
authority;  that  it  is  the  mutual  union  of  one  man  and 
one  woman;  that  the  obligation  is  most  sacred,  and 
morally  binding  so  long  as  both  shall  live,  and  therefore 
cannot  be  dissolved  at  will,  nor  should  it  be  by  a  de- 
cree of  a  civil  tribunal,  except  on  evidence  that  one  party 
is  guilty  of  adultery. 

2.  On  positive  evidence  of  such  guilt  the  innocent 
party  is  free  from  further  matrimonial  obligations  and 
justly  entitled  to  a  divorce  and  to  marry  again,  but  the 
guilty  party  has  no  such  right. 

3.  We  deny  the  right  of  marriage  to  both  parties  who 
have  been  divorced  for  other  causes  than  adultery. 

4.  Any  person  sustaining  a  marriage  relation  contrary 
to  that  above  recognized  as  justifiable  shall  be  ineligible 
to  the  office  of  the  ministry  of  this  Church. 


88  DISCIPLINE 

5.  No  minister  of  this  Church  shall  knowingly  sol- 
emnize the  marriage  of  two  persons,  either  of  whom  has 
been  divorced  for  other  than  the  above  justifiable  cause, 
and  shall  be  amenable  to  the  Church  for  disobedience  to 
the  order  thereof. 

G,  Every  pastor  shall  be  required  to  preach  at  least 
once  a  year  on  the  sanctity  of  the  home,  and  to  warn 
his  people  against  the  debasing  influences  that  imperil 
our  home  life. 

Section  IX 

CIVIC    AFFAIRS. 

1.  All  worthy  movements  for  community  upbuilding, 
social  elevation,  physical  development,  and  wholesome 
recreational  life  shall  receive  the  hearty  endorsement  of 
our  Church. 

2.  The  ministry  of  our  Church  is  encouraged  to  re- 
spond in  active  leadership  to  the  calls  of  the  community 
in  the  promotion  of  civic  righteousness,  campaigns  for 
community  upbuilding,  and  all  cooperative  movements 
of  Protestant  Christianity  touching  law-enforcement,  in- 
telligent censorship  of  motion  pictures,  abolition  of  race- 
track gambling,  promotion  of  good  literature,  and  the 
elevation  of  the  social  ideals  of  community  life. 


PART  IV 

Property 

CHAPTER  XII 

Church-Houses  and  Parsonages. 

Electing  Trustees. 

1.  Whenever  it  is  contemplated  to  purchase  or  build 
a  church-house  or  parsonage,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  any 
member  to  make  it  known  to  the  quarterly  conference  of 
the  circuit  or  station  to  which  he  belongs.  The  quarterly 
conference  shall  then  elect  a  board  of  trustees  of  not  less 
than  three  persons,  or  as  the  law  of  the  State  may  re- 
quire: provided,  however,  that  at  least  a  majority  of 
said  board  shall  be  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ.  The  trustees  shall  hold  their  office 
during  the  pleasure  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Vacancies. 

2.  When  vacancies  occur  in  a  board  of  trustees  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  quarterly  conference  to  elect 
suitable  persons  to  fill  such  vacancies,  and  the  secretary 
of  the  board  of  trustees  shall  see  that  the  records  of  the 
county  wherein  such  board  may  reside  shall  correspond 
with  the  facts  in  the  case  according  as  the  law  of  the 
State  may  require,  after  such  vacancies  have  been  filled. 

Duties  of  Trustees. 

3.  The  trustees  shall  meet  annually  or  oftener.  They 
shall  organize  by  electing  from  their  number  a  president, 
a  secretary,  and  a  treasurer.  Special  meetings  may  be 
called  by  the  president  or  by  a  majority  of  the  members 
of  the  board. 

4.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  correct  record  of  all 
business  transactions  of  the  board  in  a  book  provided 
for  that  purpose,  which  shall  at  all  times  be  open  for  the 
inspection  of  the  official  board  and  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence, as  well  as  of  the  board  of  trustees. 

5.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  board 
for  church-house,  cemetery,  or  parsonage  purposes,  and 
pay  out  the  same  under  the  direction  of  the  board,  on 
regularly-drawn  orders  signed  by  the  president  and  secre- 

^9 


90  DISCIPLINE 

tary.  He  shall  report  the  financial  condition  at  the  sev- 
eral meetings  of  the  board,  and  to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence at  least  once  each  year. 

6.  Before  beginning  the  erection  of  any  house  of 
worship,  parsonage,  or  other  building  belonging  to  the 
local  church,  the  board  of  trustees  shall  carefully  ob- 
serve the  following  preliminary  steps: 

(1)  They  shall  submit  their  plans  and  estimates  of 
lot,  lands,  and  buildings  to  the  quarterly  conference  for 
its  consideration,  approval,  and  direction,  the  confer- 
ence superintendent  being  present. 

(2)  They  shall  procure  an  incorporation  of  the  local 
church  such  as  the  law  of  the  State  requires. 

(3)  They  shall  secure  and  record  a  good  and  suffi- 
cient deed  for  the  real  estate  purchased  or  acquired  to 
said  church  or  its  trustees  for  the  use,  benefit,  and  be- 
hoof of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

(4)  They  shall  have  the  necessary  means  either  in 
hand  or  sufficiently  assured  to  carry  out  the  objects 
proposed,  so  as  to  avoid  the  encumbering  of  houses  of 
worship  and  other  church  property  with  embarrassing 
debts. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  trustees  to  take 
charge  of  all  the  church  property,  employ  janitors,  fur- 
nish light  and  fuel,  keep  the  property  insured,  and  look 
carefully  after  other  wants  from  time  to  time.  They 
shall  see  that  the  name  of  the  church  in  full  and  the 
denomination  to  which  it  belongs  shall  be  prominently 
placed  on  the  exterior  of  the  building. 

8.  For  the  raising  of  funds  for  extraordinary  ex- 
penses, such  as  building  churches,  or  making  extensive 
repairs,  or  paying  large  debts,  the  trustees  may  devise 
such  measures  as  may  be  deemed  best,  and  report  the 
same  to  the  official  board  or  quarterly  conference  for 
approval  and  cooperation. 

Sale  and  Reiit  of  Church-Houses  and  Parsonages. 

9.  The  quarterly  conference  may  authorize  the  board 
of  trustees  to  lease,  rent,  or  sell  church  or  parsonage 
property  within  its  jurisdiction;  provided,  however,  that 
said  proceeds  shall  be  used  in  purchasing,  repairing,  or 
building  new  church  or  parsonage  property  within  its 
bounds,  except  the  interest  or  rents  accruing  from  par- 
sonage property,  which  may  be  applied  to  pay  rent  on  the 
house  occupied  by  the  pastor.     Provided  further,  that  no 


PROPERTY  91 

church-house  shall  be  sold  that  would  result  in  the  dis- 
banding of  a  class,  without  the  consent  of  the  annual 
conference  within  the  bounds  of  which  said  property  is 
located.  An  exchange  of  church  property  for  the  purpose 
of  fed-eration  with  a  church  of  another  denomination  in 
the  community  may  be  effected,  when  so  desired,  upon 
approval  of  the  annual  conference. 

Conditions  of  Mortgages  and  Liens. 

10.  No  board  of  trustees  shall  have  power  to  mort- 
gage or  to  place  a  lien  of  any  kind  on  real  estate  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  except  for  the 
purchase  of  such  real  estate,  or  the  erection  of  necessary 
buildings,  or  for  repairing,  or  otherwise  improving  the 
same. 

Unused  Church-Houses. 

11.  When  a  house  of  worship  outside  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  any  quarterly  conference  ceases  to  be  used  by 
our  own  people  for  preaching  or  other  religious  pur- 
poses, it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  conference  superintend- 
ent of  the  district  in  which  such  house  is  located  to  re- 
port the  fact  to  the  annual  conference,  which  body  shall 
authorize  the  board  of  conference  trustees,  chosen  in  ac- 
cord with  Chapter  XX,  Article  7,  to  rent,  lease,  or  sell 
such  house  of  worship,  as  they  may  deem  advisable,  in 
accordance  with  the  law  of  the  state,  and  report  their 
proceedings  to  the  annual  conference.  The  annual  con- 
ference shall  have  power  to  use  such  proceeds  to  pay 
debts  on  other  houses  of  worship,  build  new  houses  of 
worship,  or  turn  the  money  into  the  funds  of  the  confer- 
ence church  extension  society,  or  conference  church  erec- 
tion society,  as  may  seem  proper,  at  its  own  discretion. 
In  no  case  shall  a  church-house  and  its  premises  be  sold 
without  the  consent  of  the  annual  conference  within 
whose  bounds  it  is  located. 

Abandoned  Parsonages. 

12.  Should  any  parsonage  be  permanently  abandoned 
as  such,  the  superintendent  of  the  district  in  which  such 
parsonage  is  located  shall  report  the  same  to  the  annual 
conference,  which  body  shall  authorize  the  board  of  con- 
ference trustees,  chosen  in  accord  with  Chapter  XX, 
Article  7,  to  rent,  lease,  or  sell  such  parsonage  and  report 
their  proceedings  to  the  next  annual  conference,  which 
body  shall  have  power  to  use  the  money  to  pay  debts  on 


92  DISCIPLINE 

other  parsonages  or  in  building  new  ones  within  its 
borders,  or  to  turn  the  money  into  the  conference  church 
extension  society,  or  conference  church  erection  society. 

Transfer  of  Churches. 

13.  When  a  lot  is  deeded  to  an  English  United  Breth- 
ren church,  or  to  a  German  United  Brethren  church,  and 
one  or  the  other  ceases  to  exist  in  an  organized  form,  by 
deaths,  removals,  expulsions,  or  otherwise,  or  when^a 
majority  of  the  members  of  said  church  shall  decide  to 
change  either  from  the  German  to  the  English,  or  vice 
versa,  then  the  church  remaining  shall  have  full  right  to 
make  such  improvements  or  repairs  on  said  lot  as  may 
be  desirable  for  the  purpose  of  worship,  and  shall  be  en- 
titled to  peaceful  possession. 

Division  of  Interest. 

14.  In  cases  where  fields  of  labor  having  parsonages 
upon  them  are  divided,  the  disposition  of  said  parsonages 
shall  be  submitted  to  a  board  of  arbitration,  consisting 
of  three  members  of  the  Church,  one  to  be  chosen  by  each 
quarterly  conference  and  the  third  by  these  two,  to  whom 
the  whole  matter  shall  be  referred,  their  decision  of  the 
case  being  final.  In  cases  where  more  than  two  quarterly 
conferences  are  interested,  the  same  plan  shall  be  pur- 
sued. In  case  this  plan  fails  the  quarterly  conferences 
shall  instruct  the  conference  superintendent  to  appoint 
a  committee  of  three  persons,  all  members  of  our  Church, 
but  none  of  them  residents  or  members  of  either  of  the 
fields  affected,  and  their  decision  shall  be  final;  provided, 
however,  that  such  action  shall  be  taken  within  two 
years  of  such  division.  When  such  adjustment  is  made, 
the  claims  assigned  to  the  church  withdrawing  shall  be 
equitably  apportioned  among  the  remaining  churches  of 
the  charge. 

Real  Estate. 

15.  Other  real  estate  held  for  church  or  parsonage 
purposes  shall  be  subject  to  the  same  regulations  as 
houses  of  worship  and  parsonages. 

Conference  or  District  Property. 

16.  Where  there  is  no  provision  by  the  laws  of  the 
State  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  organizations, 
and  there  is  propevty  that  belongs  to  a  district  or  confer- 
ence, such  as  parsonages  for  the  use  of  bishops  or  confer- 


PROPERTY  93 

ence  superintendents,  said  conference  or  the  conferences 
of  said  district  may  elect  a  board  of  trustees,  who  shall 
be  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  residing  within  the  district  or  conference,  who 
shall  have  the  right  to  receive  deeds  for  such  property 
and  power  to  lease,  rent,  or  sell  the  same. 

17.  Any  quarterly  conference  that  has  appointed  trus- 
tees for  a  bishop's  parsonage  shall  fill  all  vacancies  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  cooperating  conferences. 

Rentals  and  Royalties. 

IS.  Subject  to  and  in  accordance  with  the  law  of  the 
State,  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  local  church,  with  the 
approval  of  the  quarterly  conference,  may  lease  the  lots 
and  lands  owned  by  said  church  for  the  production  of 
oil,  gas,  coal,  and  other  minerals  upon  such  terms  as 
may  be  deemed  best;  provided,  however,  that  such  min- 
ing operations  shall  not  interfere  with  the  purposes  for 
which  said  lots  and  lands  were,  or  are  hereafter,  ac- 
quired. 

19.  The  moneys  received  from  such  leases  as  rentals, 
royalties  or  otherwise,  shall  be  used  by  the  quarterly 
conference  as  far  as  practicable  in  the  enlargement  and 
improvement  of  the  material  resources  of  the  church, 
and  in  the  promotion  of  the  conference  or  other  general 
benevolence  aims. 


PART  V 

Boards,   Departments,  and   Institutions 

CHAPTER  XIII 

Board  of  Chukch  Trustees. 

1.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  General  Conference  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  That  there 
shall  be  an  incorporated  board  of  trustees  for  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  consisting  of  twelve 
members,  a  majority  of  whom  shall  be  citizens  of  Ohio, 
elected  by  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church  for  a 
term  of  four  years,  or  until  their  successors  are  elected. 
Said  board  shall  be  known  as  the  Trustees  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  and  its  headquarters  shall  be  in 
Dayton,  Ohio. 

2.  The  organization  of  this  board  shall  be  effected  at 
its  first  regular  meeting  of  each  quadrennium  by  the 
election  of  a  president  and  secretary,  and  it  shall  thereaf- 
ter reorganize  annually.  The  general  Church  treasurer 
shall  be  the  treasurer  of  this  body.  It  shall  meet  on  the 
call  of  the  president  annually,  or  whenever  the  president 
and  secretary  may  determine.  The  board  may  elect  an 
executive  committee  with  authority  to  transact  any 
necessary  business  in  the  interim  of  the  board's  sessions, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  board. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  to  receive,  hold 
in  trust,  or  apply,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  any  and  all  funds,  donations, 
grants,  and  bequests  that  may  be  given,  directed,  or  con- 
veyed to  such  board  or  to  the  United  Brethren  Church 
as  such,  for  any  benevolent  purpose  whatever.  All  such 
funds  and  the  proceeds  thereof  shall  be  applied  in 
harmony  with  the  specified  purpose  of  the  donors,  or  in 
the  absence  of  such  specifications,  as  the  board  may  de- 
termine. 

4.  The  board  shall  report  quadrennially  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  said  Church  all  funds  and  property 
received  for  the  Church  and  the  disposition  made  of  the 
same,  and  shall  be  answerable  to,  and  under  the  direc- 
tion of  said  General  Conference. 

94 


BOARD    OF    ADMINISTRATION  95 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Board  of  Administration. 

Organization. 

1.  The  general  Board  of  Administration  shall  consist 
of  the  bishops,  ex  officio,  and  one  minister  and  one  lay- 
man for  every  fifty  thousand  members  or  fraction  thereof 
from  each  bishop's  district  in  the  United  States,  to  be 
elected  by  the  General  Conference.  The  General  Con- 
ference shall  elect  an  executive  secretary. 

2.  The  board  shall  meet  after  the  adjournment  of 
General  Conference  on  the  call  of  the  senior  bishop. 
It  shall  elect  a  chairman  and  recording  secretary,  and 
such  committees  as  shall  be  needed.  It  shall  have  power 
to  appoint  its  times  and  places  of  meeting  during  the 
quadrennium. 

3.  The  board  shall  have  power  to  fill  any  vacancies  in 
its  own  body  which  may  occur  during  the  quadrennium. 

Duties  of  the  Board. 

4.  The  Board  of  Administration  is  entrusted  with  the 
promotion  of  the  financial  plan  of  the  Church. 

5.  The  board  shall  provide  for  the  General  Conference 
expense  fund. 

6.  The  board  shall  direct  general  campaigns  during 
the  quadrennium  to  attain  such  Church  goals  as  have 
been  determined  by  the  General  Conference. 

7.  The  board  shall  receive  reports  from  the  general 
Church  treasurer,  and  to  it  he  shall  be  responsible  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties. 

8.  The  board  shall  direct  the  auditing  of  the  accounts 
of  all  departments  of  the  Church,  with  a  view  to  securing 
such  uniformity  of  method  and  completeness  of  form  as 
shall  be  most  efficient,  and  shall  give  any  needed  informa- 
tion to  the  Church. 

9.  The  board  shall  have  the  management  of  the  Min- 
isterial Pension  and  Annuity  Plan,  subject  to  the  pro- 
visions of  the  plan  as  adopted  by  the  General  Conference. 

10.  The  board  shall  fill  any  vacancies  in  General 
Conference  offices  that  may  occur  during  the  quadren- 
nium, in  case  there  is  no  specific  board  charged  with  that 
duty,  and  no  other  provision  of  the  Discipline  to  fill 
such  office. 

11.  The  board  shall  be  the  co-ordinating  body  for  the 
dfinomination  to  secure  harmony  and  efficiency   in  the 


96  DISCIPLINE 

plans  of  all  Church  departments.  It  shall  have  an  ad- 
visory relation  to  all  departments  as  to  business  meth- 
ods and  plans. 

12.  The  board  shall  recommend  to  succeeding  Gen- 
eral Conferences  such  changes  in  the  Discipline  and 
plans  of  organization,  and  such  methods  of  cooperation 
as  it  believes  will  increase  the  efficiency  and  co-ordinate 
the  work  of  the  entire  Church,  its  recommendations  to 
be  printed  and  mailed  to  each  delegate  to  the  next  Gen- 
eral Conference  at  least  thirty  days  before  the  convening 
of  the  conference. 

13.  The  board  shall  study  the  charters  of  institu- 
tions and  societies  of  the  Church,  and  supply  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  any  needed  information;  also,  it  is  em- 
powered to  harmonize  the  action  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence with  such  charters  and  with  State  laws  so  that  our 
property  and  interests  may  in  all  instances  be  preserved. 

14.  At  least  once  each  year  the  board  shall  call  a 
conference  of  the  annual  conference  superintendents,  at 
such  time  and  place  as  the  board  may  designate,  to  con- 
sider questions  of  general  interest  particularly  in  connec- 
tion with  the  attainment  of  Church  goals. 

15.  The  board  shall  assemble  all  reports  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  General  Conference,  and  bind  the  same  in 
convenient  form  for  the  use  of  the  delegates. 


S I  •  MU Y-SfllOOL    WORK 


CHAPTER  XV 

Department  of  Sunday  School,  Bkotiiehhooi),  axd 

YorxG  People'8  Work, 

Section  I 

COXSTITUTIOX. 

In  order  to  secure  a  general  and  systematic  study  of 
the  Bible,  the  development  of  the  various  forms  of  men's 
work  in  our  Church,  and  the  training  of  our  young  peo- 
ple for  the  best  service,  we  ordain  the  following  consti- 
tution for  the  departments  to  be  known  as  the  depart- 
ment of  Sunday  school  and  Brotherhood  work,  and  the 
department  of  Young  People's  work,"  which  departments 
shall  be  the  legal  successor  to  what  was  heretofore  known 
as  the  General  Sunday  School  Board,  the  Men's  Move- 
ment, and  Young  People's  Christian  Endeavor  Union. 

Article  I — Board  of  Control. 
The   departments   of   Sunday    School   and   Botherhood, 
and  of  Young  People's  work,  shall  be  under  the  direction 
of  a  general  board  of  control. 

Article  II— Object. 
The  object  of  this  board  shall  be  to  promote  the  organ- 
ization, growth,  and  efficiency  of  Sunday  schools. 
Brotherhoods,  and  Young  People's  societies,  and  hold 
such  conventions,  schools  of  methods,  etc.,  as  may  be 
deemed  wise  and  necessary. 

Article  III — Members  of  the  Board. 
The  board  shall  be  composed  of  nine  members,  at  least 
five  of  whom  shall  be  laymen,  who  shall  be  elected  by  the 
General  Conference,  together  with  the  editors  of  the 
Sunday-school  literature,  the  editor  of  the  Watchword, 
the  general  publishing  agent,  and  a  member  of  the  board 
of  bishops,  designated  by  that  board.  A  majority  cf  the 
board  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  IV — Officer.'!  and  Meetings. 

1.  This  board  shall  be  convened  by  the  bishop,  who  is 
a  member  of  the  board,  within  thirty  days  after  election, 
and  shall  be  organized  by  electing  a  president  and  re- 
cording secretary. 

2.  The  general  treasurer  of  the  Church  shall  be  the 
treasurer  of  this  board. 


98  l)IS(  Il.M.lNK 

0.  The  board  shall  meet  annually  in  the  month  of 
April  or  May  in  such  day  or  days  as  it  may  from  time 
to  time  determine;  other  meetings  may  be  held  upon  the 
call  of  the  president  of  the  board. 

Article  V — Executive  Committee. 
The  board  shall  elect  annually  five  persons  as  an 
executive  committee  for  the  department  of  Sunday 
School  and  Brotherhood  work,  and  five  as  an  executive 
committee  for  the  department  of  Young  People's  work, 
which  committees  shall  act  in  the  interims  of  the  board 
meetings.  These  committees  may  meet  statedly  in  joint 
session  to  consider  matters  pertaining  to  both  depart- 
ments and  to  correlate  their  programs. 

Article  VI — Vacancies. 
The  board  shall  be  empowered  to  fill  vacancies  occur- 
ring during  the  quadrennium. 

Article   VII — Fimds. 

1.  The  sources  of  the  funds  shall  be  an  apportion- 
ment from  the  Board  of  Administration  and  the  offerings 
from  the  observance  of  Children's  Day,  Brotherhood 
Day,  and  Young  People's  anniversary  day. 

2.  The  funds  of  the  department  of  Sunday  School 
and  Brotherhood  work  shall  be  used  to  assist  in  main- 
taining Sunday  schools  in  home  and  foreign  fields,  in 
organizing  and  promoting  the  best  interests  of  Bible 
classes,  Brotherhoods,  leagues,  etc.,  and  for  defraying 
the  legitimate  expenses  of  the  department;  provided 
that  the  principle  of  all  permanent  funds  shall  be  care- 
fully invested  and  only  the  income  therefrom  be  ex- 
pended. 

3.  The  funds  of  the  department  of  Young  People's 
work  shall  be  used  in  promoting  religious  work  among 
our  young  people,  in  providing  for  their  training  in 
Christian  service  throughout  the  entire  denomination, 
and  in  helping  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  depart- 
ment. 

4.  All  applications  for  literature  for  Sunday  schools 
shall  be  made  through  the  general  secretary,  and  the 
granting  of  requests  shall  be  subject  to  regula- 
tions prescribed  by  the  board  or  executive  committee. 
Appropriations  shall  be  made  only  to  Sunday  schools 
conducted   in  harmony   with   the   disciplinary   provisions 


sr. M)AY-S(]I()()1.    NVOHK  99 

of   the    United    Brethren    Church,    or    to    schools    giving 
satisfactory  evidence  that  they  will  soon  become  such. 

Article  YIII — Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the 
board.  He  shall  also  call  special  meetings  of  the  board 
when  in  his  judgment  and  that  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee, it  is  necessary. 

2.  The  recording  secretary  shall  keep  an  accurate  rec- 
ord of  the  business  transactions  of  the  board  in  a  book 
provided  for  that  purpose,  and  under  direction  of  the 
president  shall  issue  the  call  for  the  regular  and  special 
sessions  of  the  board. 

3.  The  general  Church  treasurer  shall  hold  in  trust 
the  funds  of  the  board  and  disburse  the  same  on  orders 
properly  signed  by  the  general  secretary  of  each  depart- 
ment respectively,  such  disbursements  having  been  au- 
thorized by  the  executive  committees. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  secretary  of  the 
department  of  Sunday  school  and  Brotherhood  work, 
when  at  all  practicable,  to  visit  the  conferences  in  the 
interest  of  the  work  of  his  department:  he  shall  endeavor 
to  stimulate  interest  in  Sunday  schools  and  Brother- 
hoods by  presenting  the  most  approved  methods  of  work ; 
he  shall  urge  the  organization  and  maintenance  of  all 
recognized  departments;  he  shall  promote  teacher-train- 
ing and  shall  urge  the  observance  of  Children's  Day;  he 
shall  aid  in  developing  Christian  benevolence  and  inter- 
est in  missions  in  Sunday  schools  and  Brotherhoods;  he 
shall  keep  a  record  of  all  bequests,  legacies,  notes,  and 
other  valuable  papers  coming  into  his  possession  and 
turn  them  over  to  the  general  Church  treasurer  for  safe 
deposit;  he  shall  prepare  and  publish  a  quadrennial  re- 
port for  the  General  Conference  and  perform  such  other 
duties  as  the  board  may  direct. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  secretary  of  the 
department  of  Young  People's  work  to  plan  for  and  pro- 
mote the  most  approved  methods  of  work  among  our 
young  people;  to  visit  conferences  and  hold  institutes 
in  connection  with  conference  union  conventions  wher- 
ever practicable;  to  consult  with  conference  union 
officers  as  to  the  best  ways  of  increasing  the  efficiency 
of  the  local  societies;  to  stimulate  religious  training 
among  our  young  people;  and  to  prepare  reports  and 
perform  such  duties  as  the  board  may  direct. 


100  DISCIPLINE 

Article  IX — Annual-Conference  Relations  and  Duties. 

1.  Each  annual  conference  shall  elect  annually  a 
conference  board,  consisting  of  three  or  five  members, 
together  with  the  bishop  and  the  conference  superin- 
tendent. This  board  shall  meet  before  the  adjournment 
of  the  annual  conference  and  organize  by  electing  a  presi- 
dent, secretary,  and  treasurer.  The  duties  of  this  board 
shall  be: 

a.  To  stimulate  the  development  of  Sunday-school 
and  Brotherhood  work  within  the  bounds  of  the  confer- 
ence. 

b.  To  appoint  a  conference  Elementary  Division  su- 
perintendent, and  such  other  officers  as  may  be  found 
necessary  to  promote  the  work  of  the  Sunday  schools 
in  the  conference. 

c.  To  collect  and  preserve  the  statistics  of  Sunday 
schools  and  Brotherhoods  of  the  conference,  and  trans- 
mit to  the  general  secretary  of  the  department  of  Sunday 
School  and  Brotherhood  work  a  list,  with  the  names  and 
addresses  of  Sunday  school  superintendents  and  Brother- 
hood presidents. 

d.  To  represent  the  interests  of  this  department  be- 
fore the  annual  conference  and  hold  an  anniversary  serv- 
ice at  each  annual  conference  session. 

It  shall  be  allowed  by  the  annual  conference  sufficient 
funds  to  perform  the  duties  outlined  above. 

Article  X — Pastor's  Relations. 
1.  The  pastor  shall  have  general  supervision  over  the 
Sunday  schools.  Brotherhoods,  and  Young  People's  so- 
cieties of  his  charge,  and  shall  be  present  at  their  ses- 
sions as  often  as  practicable.  He  shall  be  present  and 
preside  at  the  reorganization  of  his  Sunday  schools  and 
Young  People's  Societies.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  organ- 
ize a  Sunday  school  at  each  appointment  on  his  charge 
where  there  is  not  one  already.  He  shall  encourage  the 
organization  of  Young  People's  societies  and  Brother- 
hoods on  his  charge  where  at  all  practicable.  He  shall 
furnish  such  statistics  of  schools.  Brotherhoods,  and 
Young  People's  societies  as  are  required  by  the  annual- 
conference  chart,  and  such  other  statistical  information 
as  may  be  requested  by  the  authorized  heads  of  the  de- 
partments. It  shall  also  be  his  duty  to  see  that  Child- 
ren's Day  and  Young  People's  anniversary  day  are  ob- 
served and   that  liberal  offerings  are  taken  upon   these 


SrM.AY-SCllOOL    WORK  101 

days  and  sent  to  the  general  Church  treasurer.  These 
offerings  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  conference  apportion- 
ment for  the  general  board. 

2.  Every  pastor  of  a  church  where  there  is  no  Young 
People's  society  shall  appoint  a  director  of  Young  Peo- 
ple's Work,  who  shall  be  the  connecting  link  between 
the  young  people  of  that  church,  the  conference  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  Union,  and  the  Young  People's  department 
until  such  time  as  a  senior  Christian  Endeavor  society 
can  be  organized.  His  name  shall  be  duly  reported  to 
the  secretary  of  the  conference  Christian  Endeavor 
Union  and  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  Young  Peo- 
ple's department  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Section   II 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL    WORK. 

Organization  of  Xeiv  Sunday  Schools. 
In  organizing  a  new  school  the  pastor  shall  pursue 
such  plan  as  he  may  think  advisable  to  secure  a  superin- 
tendent, secretary,  treasurer  and  such  other  officers  as 
may  be  necessary.  It  is  desirable  that,  if  possible,  such 
officers  should  be  active  Christians  and  members  of  our 
Church.  They  shall  hold  office  for  one  year,  and  shall 
perform  the  duties  which  usually  pertain  to  such  of- 
fices. 

CONSTITUTION    FOR    A    SINDAY    SCHOOL. 

It  is  recommended  that  all  the  Sunday  schools  adopt 
the  following  constitution;  provided,  that  any  school  may 
have  the  privilege  of  enacting  such  by-laws  for  its  better 
regulation  as  will  not  conflict  with  the  constitution. 

Article   I — Xame. 
This   school   shall   be  know-n   as  the   United   Brethren 
Sunday  School  of . 

Article  II— Object. 
The  object  of  the  school  shall  be  to  gather  in  all  people 
for  the  study  of  the  Bible  and  for  the  study  of  the  various 
activities  of  the  church,  to  secure  the  salvation  of  souls, 
to  train  for  Christian  service,  and  to  promote  the  wor- 
ship of  God. 

Article    III— Officers. 
1.     The  officers  shall  be  the  pastor,  a  general  superin- 
tendent,  and    superintendents    for    the    Elemertary,    the 


102  DISCIPLINK 

Secondary,  and  the  Adult  divisions,  a  secretary,  a  treas- 
urer, a  librarian,  a  chorister,  an  organist,  and  such  other 
officers  as  may  be  necessary.  The  duties  of  these  officers 
shall  be  such  as  usually  pertain  to  such  offices.  When- 
ever it  is  deemed  necessary  for  the  interests  of  the 
school,  an  assistant  may  be  elected  in  each  of  these 
offices;  all  of  whom  shall  be  subject  in  their  official 
duties  to  their  superior  officers,  except  in  the  absence  of 
such  superiors. 

2.  There  shall  be  an  executive  committee  of  three  or 
five,  chosen  by  the  school,  a  majority  of  whom  shall  be 

members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  at .     The 

pastor  and  superintendent  shall  also  be  members  ex 
officio.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  select 
and  order  a  suitable  amount  of  our  own  literature  and 
helps  for  the  school  from  time  to  time,  and  look  after 
the  general  interests  of  the  school. 

o.  The  executive  committee,  in  conjunction  with  the 
teachers  of  the  school,  may  at  least  one  week  prior  to 
the  time  of  the  annual  election  nominate  suitable  per- 
sons as  candidates  for  each  of  the  various  offices  of  the 
school;  provided  that,  on  stations,  if  desirable  to  the 
pastor,  the  election  of  the  superintendent  may  be  by  the 
official  board. 

4.  All  elections  in  schools  shall  be  by  ballot,  only  en- 
rolled members  over  twelve  years  of  age  voting. 

5.  The  superintendent,  when  at  all  possible,  shall  be 
a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  in  good  and 
regular  standing.  He,  with  the  approval  of  the  pastor, 
shall  appoint  the  teachers;  provided,  however,  that  reg- 
ularly organized  adult  classes  may  select  their  teachers, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  superintendent  and  pastor. 

6.  The  pastor  of  the  church  shall  preside  at  each 
annual  election,  whenever  practicable,  and  the  superin- 
tendent or  pastor  shall  preside  at  all  special  elections. 

Article  IV — Yacancies. 
Vacancies  for  unexpired   terms  shall   be   filled  in  the 
same   manner   and   form   as   above   provided   for   annual 
reorganization. 

Article   V — Organized   Classes. 
To  promote  greater  efficiency  and  to  increase  attend- 
ance in  our  Sunday  schools,  it  is  urged  that  all  classes 
above  the  junior  age  be  organized,  and  that  they  secure 


BKOTllEUTlOOl)    WORK  103 

their  charters  from  the  general  secretary  of  the  denom- 
inational Sunday-school  board. 

Article  VI — Missions. 
Each  of  our  Sunday  schools  in  its  auxiliary  relation- 
ship to  the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign 
^lissionary  Society  of  our  Church,  is  expected  to  observe 
a  monthly  missionary  day,  on  which  a  brief  missionary 
exercise  shall  be  rendered  and  a  missionary  offering 
taken.  In  places  where  a  monthly  missionary  day  seems 
impracticable,  each  school  shall  be  required  to  observe 
such  a  missionary  day  once  a  quarter.  The  first  and 
third  quarters  of  the  calendar  year  shall  be  devoted  to 
the  study  of  foreign  missions;  the  second  and  fourth 
quarters  to  the  study  of  home  missions;  the  missionary 
offerings  during  these  periods  to  go  to  the  benevolence 
budget. 

Section  III 

BROl'HERHOOU    WORK, 

General   Statement. 

A  promising  movement  in  modern  Christianity  is  the 
binding  together  of  men  in  church  brotherhoods  for  per- 
sonal religious  improvement  and  training  for  efficient 
service  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

A  Brotherhood  may  be  comprised  of  a  men's  Bible 
class,  a  federation  of  two  or  more  men's  Bible  classes, 
or  may  be  a  separate  organization  including  all  the  men 
in  the  church  and  community,  providing  it  subscribes 
to  the  Brotherhood  objectives.  The  number  of  commit- 
tees may  be  diminished  or  increased  at  the  discretion  of 
the  Brotherhood, 

CONSTITUTION    FOR    A    BROTHERHOOD. 

Article  I — Name. 
The  name  of  this  organization  shall  be  the  Otterbein 
Brotherhood  of  the Church,  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ. 

Article  II— Object. 
The  purpose  of  this  organization  is  to  promote  the 
Brotherhood  spirit;  to  secure  the  salvation,  spiritual 
growth  and  activity  of  our  men;  to  create  interest  in 
Bible  study  and  Christian  fellowship  among  men;  to 
increase  the  efficiency  of  the  local  church;   to  encourage 


104  DISC  ll'I. INK 

denominational  loyalty;  to  enlist  all  the  men  of  the 
community  in  all  the  movements  for  social,  civic,  and  in- 
dustrial betterment.  One  of  the  definite  objects  of  the 
Brotherhood  shall  be  to  devise  plans  whereby  the  boys 
of  the  community  may  be  won  to  Christ  and  the  Church. 

Article  III — Merndership. 

1.  Any  man  over  sixteen  years  of  age  shall  be  eligible 
to  membership,  if  approved  by  the  executive  committee 
and  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any 
regular  meeting  of  the  Brotherhood. 

2.  Each  member  shall  be  required  to  pay  a  monthly 
due  of cents. 

Article  IV — Meetings. 

1.  Devotional. — The  Brotherhood  may  hold  weekly  or 
monthly  devotional  meetings  for  the  study  of  the  Word, 
prayer,  and  testimony.  All  members  of  the  Brotherhood 
should  be  encouraged  to  take  part. 

2.  Business. — Business  meetings  shall  be  held  month- 
ly or  quarterly  or  oftener  at  the  call  of  the  executive 
committee. 

3.     members  present  at  any  regular  or  special 

meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business. 

4.  At  the  regular  business  meetings  the  officers  and 
chairmen  of  committees  shall  submit  written  reports  of 
work  done. 

Article  V — Officers. 

1.  The  elective  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president, 
vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer.  They  shall  be 
elected  for  one  year  by  a  majority  of  the  members  pres- 
ent at  the  annual  meeting  and  shall  hold  office  until 
their  successors  are  chosen. 

2.  The  president  and  treasurer  shall  be  members  of 
the  local  church  where  this  Brotherhood  is  organized. 

3.  The  pastor  shall  be  a  member  of  the  executive 
committee. 

Article    VI — Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  business  meet- 
ings and  shall  be  a  member  ex  officio  of  all  regular 
committees. 

2.  The  vice-president  shall  assist  the  president  and 
shall  perform  all  the  duties  of  the  president  in  case  of 


BROTUEKIIOOl)    WORK  105 

the  latter's  absence  or  disability,  and  may  be  the  director 
of  the  boys'  work  of  the  Brotherhood. 

0.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  roll  of  the  membership 
and  a  record  of  all  the  proceedings  of  each  business 
meeting.  He  shall  report  the  formation  of  the  Brother- 
hood to  the  conference  organization  and  to  the  office  of 
the  board  of  control  of  Sunday  school  and  Brotherhood 
work,  and  from  time  to  time  report  for  publication  items 
concerning  the  progress  of  the  Brotherhood. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  collect  all  dues,  keep  moneys, 
and  pay  all  bills  upon  the  authorization  of  the  president 
and  secretary.  He  shall  make  a  report  of  all  receipts 
and  disbursements  at  the  regular  business  meetings  of 
the  Brotherhood  and  shall  be  a  member  of,  and  report  to, 
the  official  board  and  the  quarterly  conference. 
Article   VII — Standing   Committees  and   Their  Duties.  , 

1.  There  may  be  authorized  seven  standing  com- 
mittees— executive,  membership,  devotional  and  relig- 
ious work,  social  and  fellowship,  Bible,  mission  study 
and  Sunday  school,  moral  reform  work,  and  work  for 
boys. 

2.  The    executive    committee    shall    consist    of    the 
pastor,  officers  of  the  Brotherhood,  and  the  chairmen  of 
the  standing  committees.     This  committee  shall  outline 
plans  and  aims  for  the  Brotherhood  and  stimulate  the . 
different  committees  in  their  specific  duties. 

3.  The  membership  committee  shall  seek  to  win  new 
members,  prayerfully  follow  up  all  delinquents,  visit  the 
sick,  and  provide  as  far  as  possible  for  the  relief  of  all 
members  in  distress. 

4.  The  devotional  and  religious  work  committee  shall 
provide  leaders  and  topics  for  such  devotional  meetings 
as  shall  be  agreed  upon,  aid  in  building  up  the  church 
prayer-meeting  and  other  church  services,  and  plan  such 
other  meetings  as  will  promote  the  religious  life  of  boys 
and  men. 

5.  The  social  and  fellowship  committee  shall  provide 
social  functions,  welcome  strangers  and  newcomers  to 
the  church  services,  Sunday-school  and  Brotherhood 
meetings,  and  in  every  way  encourage  friendliness 
among  men  and  boys. 

(J.  The  Bible,  mission  study  and  Sunday-school  com- 
mittee shall  seek  to  interest  men  in  the  study  of  the 
Bible,   missionarv   books  as  authorized   by   our  mission 


106  jjisniM.iNK 

boards,  and  cooperate  in  the  organization  of  men's  and 
boys'  classes  in  the  Sunday  school. 

7.  The  moral  reform  committee  shall  bring  to  the  no- 
tice of  the  Brotherhood  all  urgent  problems  of  moral 
reform  and  aid  in  advancing  the  cause  of  civic  right- 
eousness through  the  Brotherhood. 

8.  Work  for  boys.  This  committee  shall  labor  earn- 
estly to  carry  on  Christian  work  among  boys. 

Article   VIII — Special  Offering. 
The  Brotherhood  shall  take  an  offering  each  year  in 
the  month  of  January  for  the  board  which  promotes  it. 

Article  IX — Amendments. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  busi- 
ness meeting  of  the  Brotherhood  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
the  members  present,  provided  the  amendment  was  sub- 
mitted to  the  Brotherhood  at  a  previous  meeting. 

Any  by-laws  may  be  adopted  for  increasing  the  effi- 
ciency of  the  Brotherhood,  provided  such  are  in  harmony 
with  this  constitution  and  the  Discipline  of  the  Church. 

Section  IV 

YOUXG   people's   WORK. 

modp:l  constitution  for  the  conference  christian 
endeavor  union, 
Article  I — Name. 
This    organization   shall   be   called    the    Christian    En- 
deavor Union  of  the Conference  of  the  Church 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II— Object. 
The  object  of  this  union  shall  be  to  unite  the  Young 
People's  Christian  societies  of  the  conference  for  mutual 
helpfulness,  for  stimulating  church  loyalty  and  an  in- 
telligent interest  in  the  various  Church  enterprises,  and 
for  the  organization  and  extension  of  Young  People's 
Christian  societies  within  the  conference. 

Article  III — Membership. 
1.     Any  Young  People's  Christian  Endeavor  society,  or 
any   other   Young   People's   Christian   organization   con- 
nected with  the  United  Brethren  Church  in  this  confer- 
ence, may  be  a  member  of  this  conference  union.     Local 


YOUNG    people's   WORK  107 

Junior  and  Intermediate  societies  may  likewise  be  mem- 
bers. 

2.     Each   Young   People's   society   shall   be   entitled   to 

delegates  and  each  Junior  and  Intermediate  to 

delegates  to  the  convention  of  the  conference 

union. 

Article  IV — Officers. 

1.  The  officers  shall  be  a  president,  a  vice-president, 
a  recording  secretary,  a  corresponding  secretary,  a  treas- 
urer, a  Junior  superintendent,  and  an  Intermediate 
superintendent,  and  such  other  department  superintend- 
ents as  may  be  deemed  necessary.  These  shall  be  elected 
at  the  regular  convention  of  the  union. 

2.  The  conference  executive  committee  shall  consist 
of  all  the  regularly  elected  officers  and  such  others  as 
may  be  elected.  The  committee  should  cooperate  with 
the  conference  board  of  control. 

Article  V — Duties. 

1.  The  duties  of  the  president,  vice-president,  and 
treasurer  shall  be  such  as  usually  devolve  upon  such 
officers. 

2.  The  duties  of  the  recording  secretary  shall  be  to 
keep  a  record  of  all  transactions  of  the  union  and  of 
the  executive  committee. 

3.  The  duties  of  the  corresponding  secretary  shall  be 
to  keep  a  list  of  the  societies  in  the  conference,  with  the 
name  of  the  president  and  corresponding  secretary  of 
each,  and  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  conference  union; 
to  furnish  the  same  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  de- 
partment of  Young  People's  work,  and  to  conduct  all 
correspondence. 

4.  The  Junior  and  Intermediate  superintendents  shall 
have  charge  of  the  Junior  and  Intermediate  work  in  the 
conference. 

5.  The  executive  committee  shall  look  after  the  in- 
terests of  the  Young  People's  societies  in  the  eonference, 
provide  for  meeting  necessary  expenses,  for  the  collec- 
tion of  annual  dues,  arrange  for  the  annual  meetings, 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  required  by 
the  department  of  Young  People's  work. 

Article  VI — Conventions. 
The  conventions  of  this  conference  union  shall  be  held 
annually  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  determined 
by  the  union  or  by  its  executive  conxmittee. 


108  IJISCIIM.INK 

Article  VII — Finances. 

The  funds  for  the  regular  work  of  this  union  may  be 
raised  by  voluntary  gifts,  or  by  annual  dues  levied  upon 
each  Young  People's,  Intermediate,  and  Junior  society  in 
the  conference,  the  amount  to  be  determined  by  the 
union.  Each  society  shall  also  make  a  contribution  by 
dues  or  otherwise  to  the  benevolence  budget. 

The  missionary  funds  raised  by  the  Junior  Christian 
Endeavor  societies  for  missionary  purposes  other  than 
conference  missionary  objects  shall  be  sent  to  the  con- 
ference Christian  Endeavor  union  treasurer  to  be  for- 
warded to  the  treasurer  of  the  Women's  Missionary  As- 
sociation, at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  Till— By-Laws. 
The  conference  union  may  enact  such  by-laws  as  con- 
ference conditions  and  needs  may  require.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  no  by-laws  inconsistent  with  the  general 
good  of  the  Young  People's  work  in  the  Church  will  be 
enacted. 


Model  Constitution  for  a  Young  People's  Society 
OF  Christian  Endeavor. 
Article  I — Xame. 
This  society  shall  be  called  the  Young  People's  Society 

of  Christian   Endeavor  of  * — United   Brethren 

Church  of  f . 

Article  II— Object. 
It  shall  be  the  object  of  this  society  to  promote  an 
earnest  Christian  life  among  its  members,  to  increase 
their  mutual  acquaintance,  to  make  them  more  useful  in 
the  service  of  God,  to  promote  loyalty  to  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  to  study  its  life  and  in- 
terests, and  to  seek  in  every  proper  way  to  assist  in  the 
growth  of  both  the  local  church  and  the  denomination 
at  large,  as  our  particular  part  of  God's  Zion. 

Article  III — Membership. 
1.     The  members  shall  consist  of  three  classes,  active, 
associate,  and  honorary. 


InsfH-t  name  of  church,      l  Insert  namo  of  place. 


Yorx(;  pkoim.k's  wouk  109 

2.  Active  Members.— The  active  members  ol  this  so- 
ciety shall  consist  of  the  pastor  and  all  Christian  young 
people  who  sincerely  desire  to  accomplish  the  object 
above  specified.  Voting  powers  shall  be  vested  only  in 
the  active  members. 

3.  Associate  Members. — All  young  persons  of  worthy 
character  who  have  not  as  yet  publicly  professed  their 
faith  in  Christ,  may  become  associate  members  of  this 
society.  They  shall  have  the  special  prayers  and  sym- 
pathy of  the  active  members.  It  is  expected  that  all  as- 
sociate members  will  regularly  attend  prayer  meetings 
and  that  they  will  in  time  become  active  members. 

4.  Honorary  or  Affiliated  Members. — Persons  who  for 
any  reason  cannot  assume  the  duties  of  active  member- 
ship, but  who  are  interested  in  the  society,  and  desire 
to  promote  its  welfare,  may  become  honorary  members. 
Honorary  members  are  expected  to  support  the  society 
financially  and  otherwise. 

5.  These  different  persons  shall  become  members  upon 
election  by  the  society. 

Article  IV — Officers  and  Committees. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  president,  a 
vice-president,  a  recording  secretary,  a  corresponding 
secretary,  and  a  treasurer,  all  of  whom  shall  be  chosen 
from  the  active  members  of  the  society.  The  president 
should  be  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

2.  Executive  Committee. — This  committee  shall  con- 
sist of  the  pastor  of  the  church,  the  officers  of  the  society, 
the  chairmen  of  the  various  committees,  and  the  Junior 
and  Intermediate  superintendents.  All  matters  requir- 
ing debate  may  be  brought  first  before  this  committee. 

3.  Other  Committees. — There  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  executive  committee  from  the  active  membership 
such  committees  as  shall  be  necessary  to  carry  on  the 
work  of  the  society,  these  committees  to  be  selected  from 
the  list  suggested  in  the  by-laws. 

Article  V — Duties  of  Officers. 
1.  President. — The  president  of  the  society  shall  per- 
form the  duties  usually  pertaining  to  that  office.  He 
shall  have  general  oversight  of  the  interests  of  the  so- 
ciety, and  it  shall  be  his  care  to  see  that  the  different 
committees  perform  the  duties  devolving  upon  them. 
He  shall  make  a  report   of  the   work   of  the  society   at 


110 


each  session  of  the  quarterly  conference  or  official  board. 

2.  Vice-President. — The  vice-president  shall  assist  the 
president  in  promoting  the  interest  of  the  society  and 
shall  perform  the  duties  of  the  president  in  his  absence. 

3.  Recording  Secretary. — The  recording  secretary 
shall  keep  a  record  of  the  members,  and  correct  it  from 
time  to  time,  as  may  be  necessary;  shall  obtain  the  sig- 
nature of  each  newly-elected  member  to  the  pledge;  shall 
correspond  with  absent  members,  and  inform  them  of 
their  standing  in  the  society;  shall  keep  correct  min- 
utes of  all  business  meetings  of  the  society;  and  shall 
notify  all  persons  elected  to  office  or  to  committees,  in 
writing,  if  necessary. 

4.  Corresponding  Secretary. — The  corresponding  sec- 
retary shall  keep  the  local  society  in  communication 
with  the  general  secretary  of  the  department  of  Young 
People's  work,  and  with  other  local  societies;  and  shall 
present  to  his  own  society  such  matters  of  interest  as 
may  come  from  the  department  of  Young  People's  work, 
or  from  the  conference  union,  or  from  other  Christian 
sources.  He  shall  also  report  to  the  general  secretary  of 
Young  People's  work  the  number  of  persons  who  have 
adopted  the  Christian  stewardship  plan,  the  comrades  of 
the  quiet  hour,  the  life  work  recruits,  and  the  number  en- 
rolled in  mission  study  classes.  This  office  shall  be 
permanent,  and  the  name  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  cor- 
responding secretary  of  the  conference  union  and  then  to 
the  general  secretary  of  the  department  of  Young  Peo- 
ple's work,  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  VI — The  Prayer  Meeting. 

1.  All  the  active  members  shall  be  present  at  every 
meeting,  unless  detained  by  some  absolute  necessity,  and 
each  active  member  shall  take  some  part,  however  slight, 
in  every  meeting.  To  the  above  all  the  active  members 
shall  pledge  themselves,  understanding  by  "absolute  ne- 
cessity" some  reason  for  absence  which  can  conscien- 
tiously be  given  to  their  Master,  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  Once  each  month  a  consecration,  or  covenant,  meet- 
ing shall  be  held,  at  which  each  active  member  shall 
renew  his  vows  of  consecration. 

3.  At  each  consecration  meeting  the  roll  shall  be 
called,  or  some  other  effective  method  of  making  the 
record  may  be  employed,  and  the  responses  of  the  active 
members  who  are  present  shall  be  considered  a  renewed 


youm;  I'Koim.e's  work  111 

expression  of  allegiance  to  Christ.  It  is  expected  that  if 
any  one  is  obliged  to  be  absent  from  this  meeting  he 
will  send  a  message,  or  at  least  a  verse  of  scripture,  to  be 
read  in  response  to  his  name  at  the  roll-call. 

4.  If  any  active  member  of  the  society  is  absent  from 
this  monthly  meeting  and  fails  to  send  a  message,  the 
look-out  committee  is  expected  to  take  the  name  of  such 
a  one,  and  in  a  kind  and  brotherly  spirit  ascertain  the 
reason  for  the  absence.  If  an  active  member  of  the  so- 
ciety is  absent  and  unexcused  from  three  consecutive 
monthly  meetings,  his  name  may  be  stricken  from  the 
list  of  members,  on  the  approval  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee. 

5.  The  lookout  committee  shall  present  to  all  candi- 
dates for  membership  the  following,  or  some  other  form 
of  the  Christian  Endeavor  pledge,  to  be  signed: 

Trusting  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  strength,  I  prom- 
ise him  that  I  will  strive  to  do  whatever  he  would  have 
me  do.  I  will  make  it  the  rule  of  my  life  to  pray  and  read 
the  Bible,  to  support  the  work  and  worship  of  my  church, 
and  to  take  my  part  in  the  meetings  and  other  activities 
of  this  society.  These  things  I  will  do  unless  hindered 
by  conscientious  reasons;  and  in  them  all  I  will  seek  the 
Savior's  guidance. 

( Signed ) 

Article  VII — Business  Meetings  and  Elections. 

1.  Business  meetings  may  be  held  monthly  on  an 
evening  designated  by  the  society,  or  at  any  other  time 
upon  call  of  the  president. 

2.  An  election  of  officers  and  appointment  of  commit- 
tees shall  be  held  annually  during  the  month  preceding 
the  annual  conference  session,  and  the  term  of  office 
shall  begin  with  the  conference  year.  Names  may  be 
proposed  by  a  nominating  committee  appointed  by  the 
president. 

Article  VIII — Rehition  to  the  Church. 

1.  This  society  shall  at  no  time  adopt  any  rule  or 
practice  contrary  to  the  Discipline  and  usages  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church. 

2.  This  society  shall  be  auxiliary  to  the 

Conference  Christian  Endeavor  l^nion  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 


112  J)IS(  IPI.INK 

Article   IX — Finances. 

1.  This  society  shall  pay  to  the  conference  union 
treasury,  as  dues,  such  sum  as  may  be  determined  by 
the  conference  union.  It  shall  also  collect  dues  from 
each  Junior  and  Intermediate  society.  The  payments 
shall  be  forwarded  by  the  treasurer  of  this  society,  on 
order,  to  the  treasurer  of  the  conference  union.  The 
amounts  are  due  the  first  of  January  each  year,  and 
should  be  paid  during  that  month. 

2.  This  society  shall  help  in  raising  the  benevolence 
budget  of  the  local  church  and  shall  cooperate  with  any 
financial  enterprise  of  the  conference  union. 

0.  This  society  should  take  a  free-will  offering  for 
the  department  of  Young  People's  work  on  Young  Peo- 
ple's anniversary  day. 

Article  X — Alumni  Council. 
This  society  may  have  an  Alumni  Council  at  any  time 
when  there  are  those  who  have  once  been  active  in 
Endeavor  work,,  but  who  feel  that  they  should  give  place 
to  younger  and  less  experienced  persons  in  directing  the 
work  of  the  society. 

Article  XI — Amendments. 
This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  meet- 
ing by  a  two-thirds  vote  of   the  members   present,   one 
week's  notice  having  been  given ;    provided  that  Article 
II  and  Article  IX  shall  not  be  changed. 

By-Laws. 
Article  I — Meetings. 

1.  Regular  Meetings.— This  society  shall  hold  a  meet- 
ing on evening  of  each  week.    The 

regular  meeting  of  each  month  shall  be  a  testimony  or 
consecration  meeting.  The  regular  business  meeting 
shall  be  on  the of  each  month. 

2.  Meetings  for  Study. — Meetings  for  the  study  of 
Christian  Endeavor,  personal  evangelism,  missions. 
Christian  stewardship,  and  Christian  citizenship  may  be 
held  as  determined  by  the  society. 

3.  Literary  Meetings. — Literary  meetings  for  the  ren- 
dering of  literary  programs  may  be  held  at  such  time 
as  the  society  may  determine,  provided  that  nothing 
shall  be  given  inconsistent  with  our  position  as  a  Chris- 
tian society. 


YotX(.  i'kofi.k's  work  113 

Article  II — Leadership  Training  Course. 
This  society  shall  encourage  its  members  to  pursue 
the  leadership  training  course  outlines  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Young  People's  Work,  and  secure  the  credits 
from  time  to  time.  Endeavorers  shall  also  be  encouraged 
to  pursue  the  Supplemental  Personal  Efficiency  Course. 

Ai'ticle  III — Methods  of  Raising  Money. 
Funds  for  the  society  may  be  raised  by  regular  dues, 
payable  at  the  regular  monthly  business  meeting  or  at 
the  consecration  meeting,  or  the  society  may  adopt  other 
systematic  plans  for  the  finances. 

Article  IV — Suggested   Committees  and   Their  Duties. 

1.  Executive  Committee. — See  Constitution,  Article 
IV,  Section  2. 

2.  Lookout  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  bring  new  members  into  the  society,  to 
introduce  them  to  the  work  and  to  the  other  members, 
and  to  look  after  and  reclaim  any  that  seem  indifferent 
to  their  duties.  This  committee  shall  also,  after  con- 
sideration, propose  names  for  membership,  at  least  one 
week  before  their  election. 

o.  Devotional  Committee. — This  committee  shall  have 
in  charge  the  meetings,  and  shall  see  that  a  topic  is 
assigned  and  a  leader  appointed  for  every  devotional 
meeting.  It  shall  also  assist  the  leader  in  increasing 
the  interest  in  the  devotional  meetings.  A  member  of 
this  committee  may  be  superintendent  of  the  quiet  hour. 

4.  Social  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  promote  the  social  interests  of  the  society 
by  welcoming  strangers  to  the  meetings,  and  by  provid- 
ing for  the  mutual  acquaintance  of  the  members  by  oc- 
casional sociables,  for  which  any  appropriate  entertain- 
ment of  which  the  church  approves  may  be  provided. 

5.  Church  and  Sunday-School  Committee. — It  shall  be 
the  duty  of  this  committee  to  visit  the  young  people  of 
the  community  and  strangers,  invite  them  to  the  Sun- 
day school  and  church  services,  and  see  that  they  are 
properly  received  at  these  meetings.  The  committee 
shall  also  cooperate  with  the  pastor  of  the  church  and 
the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  in  any  way 
which  they  may  suggest  for  the  benefit  of  the  church 
and  Sunday  school. 


114  DISCI  I'M  NK 

6.  Missionary  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
this  committee  to  awaken  an  intelligent  missionary  en- 
thusiasm among  the  members  of  the  society.  This  in- 
terest is  to  be  aroused  by  holding  missionary  meetings, 
promoting  mission  study  classes,  and  by  using  mission- 
ary funds  as  directed  by  the  society. 

7.  Music  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  provide  for  the  singing  at  the  Young  Peo- 
ple's meeting,  also  to  turn  the  musical  ability  of  the 
society  into  account,  when  necessary,  at  public  religious 
meetings. 

8.  The  Relief  Committee.— It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
this  committee  to  do  what  it  can  to  cheer  and  aid,  if 
possible  and  necessary  by  material  comforts,  the  sick 
and  destitute  among  the  young  people  of  the  church  and 
Sunday  school. 

9.  The  Efficiency  Committee. — The  efficiency  commit- 
tee shall  endeavor  to  have  the  society  adopt  some  effi- 
ciency standard  and  shall  have  charge  of  the  literary 
work  of  the  society.  It  shall  also  do  what  it  can  to 
circulate  the  Watchword,  Religious  Telescope,  and  all 
other  periodicals  of  the  Church,  among  the  families  of 
the  congregation,  as  the  pastor  of  the  church  may  direct. 
It  should  distribute  tracts  and  introduce  good  reading 
matter  wherever  practicable.  A  member  of  this  com- 
mittee may  be  the  AVatchword  agent. 

10.  Christian  Stewardship  Committee. — It  shall  be 
the  duty  of  this  committee  to  practice  and  teach  by 
every  possible  means  the  duty  of  systematic,  proportion- 
ate giving  to  the  cause  of  Christ  of  at  least  one-tenth  of 
the  income  of  the  members  of  the  society,  and  to  secure 
and  preserve  a  roll  of  the  members  who  practice  such 
giving,  or  will  promise  to  do  so,  and  through  the  corres 
ponding  secretary  of  the  society  forward  a  list  of  such 
names  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  department  of 
Young  People's  work  or  to  the  secretary  of  the  Board 
of  Administration. 

11.  College  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  keep  the  society  in  touch  with  the  college 
with  which  the  conference  cooperates,  to  awaken  a  de- 
sire in  the  young  people  for  college  training,  and  com- 
municate the  names  of  the  persons  who  may  desire  to 
attend  the  college  to  the  president  of  the  college,  and  to 
promote  the  interest  of  the  college  in  any  reasonable 
way  in  which  the  college  authorities  may  suggest.     A 


Y()r.\(;  pkoi'i.k's  work  115 

member  of  this  committee  may  be  superintendent  of  life 
work  recruits. 

Article  V — Elections. 
The   election  of  officers   shall   be   held   at  the   regular 
business  meeting  in .     A  nominating  commit- 
tee may  be  appointed  by  the  president. 

Article  VI — Quorum. 

members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the 

transaction  of  business. 

Article  VII — Am endments. 
These  by-laws  may  be  amended  by  a  two-thirds  vote 
of  the  members  present. 

Skctio.x  V 

-MODEL  CONSTITUTION  FOR  A  JU.MOR  OR  AN  INTFRMEDIATK 
CHRISTIAN   ENDEAVOR   SOCIETY. 

Article  I — Name 
This  organization  shall   be   known  as   the   .Junior    [or 

Intermediate]  Christian  Endeavor  Society  of  * 

United  Brethren  Church  of  f . 

Article  II — Object. 
The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  promote  in  its 
members   a   pure   and   worthy   character,    to    aid    in   the 
study  of  the  Bible,  and  to  cultivate  the  principles  of  loyal 
service  to  Christ. 

Article  III — Membership. 

1.  The  members  shall  be  boys  and  girls  **who  shall 
have  been  approved  by  the  superintendent,  and  elected 
by  a  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular 
meeting. 

2.  All  those  who  become  members  shall  pledge  them- 
selves to  attend  regularly  the  meetings  of  the  society 
and  to  observe  good  order  in  them. 

Article  IV — Junior  or  Intermediate  Society  Pledge. 

Trusting  in  Jesus  Christ  to  help  me,  I  promise  that  I 
will  strive  to  do  whatever  he  would  like  to  have  me  do: 
that  I  will  pray  and  read  the  Bible,  and  keep  the  Sabbath 
day  holy;  and  that  just  so  far  as  I  know  how  I  will  try 


♦Insert  name  of  church,     tlnseit  namo  of  place. 

**Bo.vs  and  girLs  usually  are  called  Juniors  between  the  ngcs 
of  six  and  twelve  or  thirteen,  and  Intermediates  between  thir- 
teen and  sixteen. 


116  IHSCIIMJNK 

to  lead  a  good  life:  that  I  will  be  present  at  every  meet- 
ing when  not  hindered  by  sickness  or  some  other  just 
cause;  and  that  I  will  take  some  part  in  the  meetings, 
especially  the  monthly  recognition  meetings. 

pakext's    answer. 
I   have  carefully   read   the  accompanying   pledge  and 

cheerfully  give  my  consent  for to  sign  it,  and 

will  do  what  I  can  to  help  — to  keep  it  faith- 
fully. 

Parent's  name 

Address 

Ai'ticle  V — Officers. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  superintend- 
ent and  such  assistant  superintendents  as  may  be  needed, 
a  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer. 

2.  The  superintendents  may  be  appointed  by  the 
pastor,  or  elected  by  the  Young  People's  society  of  the 
church,  with  the  approval  of  the  pastor  and  official  board. 

Article  VI — Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  superintendent  shall  have  general  charge  of 
the  society  and  its  work.  A  report  is  to  be  made  to  each 
quarterly  conference. 

2.  The  assistant  superintendents  shall  aid  the  super- 
intendent in  promoting  the  work  of  the  society.  The 
first  assistant  may  care  for  all  the  funds  received  from 
the  treasurer. 

3.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  business  meet- 
ings, under  the  advice  of  the  superintendent. 

4.  The  vice-president  shall  conduct  business  meetings 
in  the  absence  of  the  president. 

5.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names 
and  attendance  of  members,  and  all  of  the  proceedings 
of  all  business  meetings. 

6.  The  treasurer  shall  take  the  collections,  enter  the 
amount  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  turn 
over  the  money  to  the  assistant  superintendent  for  safe 
keeping.  A  record  shall  also  be  kept  of  all  expenditures 
as  directed  by  the  superintendent  and  society. 

Aj-ticle    VII — Com  rn ittees. 
There  may  be  such  committees  as  the  superintendent 
deems  necessary.     The  members  of  the  committees  may 
be  nominated  by  the  superintendent  and  elected  by  the 
society. 


YOl"N(.    I'KOIM.K's    wokk  117 

1.  Lookout,  or  Membershii)  Committee. — This  com- 
mittee shall  secure  the  names  of  those  who  should  join 
the  society  and  seek  to  induce  them  to  become  members. 
It  shall  also  aid  in  keeping  the  members  faithful  in  at- 
tendance and  taking  part. 

2.  Prayer  Meeting,  or  Devotional. — This  committee 
shall  help  the  superintendent  to  arrange  programs,  pro- 
vide music,  distribute  Bibles,  singing  books,  tracts,  etc., 
and  aid  in  every  viay  which  the  superintendents  may  di- 
rect to  promote  the  interests  of  the  meetings. 

3.  Social. — This  committee  shall  welcome  the  mem- 
bers to  the  meetings  and  help  the  superintendent  in 
holding  socials. 

4.  Temperance. — To  canvass  for  signatures  to  the 
temperance  pledge  under  the  direction  of  the  superin- 
tendents, and  to  help  in  any  other  way  to  promote 
temperance  work  among  boys  and  girls. 

Temperance  Pledge. — I  hereby  promise.  God  helping 
me,  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  tobacco  in  every  form, 
from  the  use  of  wine,  beer,  and  other  intoxicating  drinks, 
and  from  the  use  of  profane  and  unclean  language. 

5.  Executive  Committee. — The  pastor,  superintend- 
ents, and  the  officers  shall  compose  the  executive  com- 
mittee, which  shall  have  full  control  of  the  affairs  of  the 
society. 

A  rticle  VIII—Mevtinxis. 

1.  A  devotional  meeting  shall  be  held  every  week,  the 
exercises  of  which  shall  consist  of  prayers,  scripture 
reading  and  study,  singing,  and  testimony. 

2.  Once  a  month  the  meeting  shall  be  known  as  the 
recognition  meeting.  At  some  time  during  the  exercises 
the  pledge  shall  be  recited  in  concert,  and  the  roll  called. 
The  responses  shall  be  considered  a  renewal  of  the 
pledge  of  the  society. 

3.  Monthly  missionary  meetings  shall  be  held  at 
which  time  missionary  offerings  may  be  taken. 

4.  All  meetings  shall  be  in  charge  of  the  superin- 
tendent, employing  the  members  as  leaders  in  the  best 
manner  to  train  them. 

5.  The  superintendent  or  assistant  shall  use  a  part  of 
the'  hour  of  the  weekly  meeting,  when  deemed  best,  for 
special  instruction  in  Bible  truth,  missions,  church  life 
and  stewardship  under  the  plan  known  as  the  Supple- 
mental Personal  Efficiency  Course  outlined  by  the  De- 
partment of  Young  People's  Work. 


]18  1)1S(  IIM.INK 

Article  IX — Relationship. 

This  society  shall  be  considered  a  department  of  the 
church  with  which  it  is  connected.  It  shall  also  sustain 
a  close  and  intimate  relation  to  the  Young  People's  so- 
ciety of  the  church,  with  which  the  members  of  the 
Junior  or  Intermediate  society  are  expected  to  connect 
themselves  when  they  have  reached  the  proper  age. 

The  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  society  in  its  mission- 
ary activities  is  asked  to  cooperate  with  the  Women's 
Missionary  Association,  which  in  turn,  may  assist  the 
Junior  superintendent  in  cultivating  a  missionary  inter- 
est among  the  Juniors  by  suggesting  missionary  liter- 
ature and  information. 

Article  X — Bij-Laus. 
1.     The  regular  meetings  of  this  society  shall  be  held 

.     The  last  meeting  of  each  month  shall  be  a 

recognition    meeting.      The    business    meeting    shall    be 


2.  The  superintendent,  in  consultation  with  the 
pastor,  shall  at  each  election  propose  names  of  available 
members  for  the  several  offices,  who  shall  be  elected  by 
a  majority  of  the  members  present.  The  officers  shall 
be  elected  and  the  committees  appointed  for  a  term  of 

six  months,  and  shall  enter  upon  their  duties  the  

day  of and  the day  of  — — 

each  year. 

3.  The  funds  for  the  expenses  of  the  society  and 
other  purposes  may  be  raised  by  regular  dues  or  by 
offerings  taken  at  the  monthly  recognition  meetings,  or 
at  other  meetings  as  the  superintendent  may  arrange. 

4.  Special  meetings  of  the  society  may  be  called  at 
any  time  by  the  pastor  or  superintendent. 

5.  The  committees  should  hold  a  meeting  with  the 
superintendent  once  a  month  for  consultation  about  their 
work. 

6.  This  constitution  and  these  by-laws  may  be  amend- 
ed at  any  regular  meeting  upon  the  recommendation  of 
the  executive  committee. 

Sectiox    VI 

COM-MrrXEE  ON    COURSES   OF   STUDY   FOR  THE   SUNDAY    SCHOOL. 

A  standing  committee  consisting  of  five  members,  two 
of  whom  shall  be  the  editor  of  the  Sunday-school  liter- 
ature and  the  general  Sunday-school  secretary,  shall  be 


YOLM.    I'KOi'I.K'.S    \VOHiv  119 

appointed  by  the  executive  committee  of  the  department 
of  Sunday  school  and  Brotherhood  work.  It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  this  committee  to  study  the  whole  matter  of  re- 
ligious education,  examine  all  proposed  courses  of  study, 
including  those  prepared  by  the  International  Sunday 
School  Lessen  committee,  and  superintend  the  prepara- 
tion of  any  new  courses  that  may  be  deemed  necessary 
to  meet  the  requirements  of  our  Sunday  schools. 


CHAPTER  XVI 
TiiK  Home  Mission auy  Society. 

(•ONSTITUTIOX. 

Article  I — Object. 
This  society  shall  be  called  the  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  (the  legal  suc- 
cessor of  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  in  its  home  work), 
and  is  organized  for  the  purpose  of  extending  and  estab- 
lishing the  work  of  the  Church  in  the  home  field. 

Article  II — Membership. 
The  board  of  trustees  of  this  society  shall  consist  of 
eighteen  persons  chosen  as  follows:  One  bishop  ex 
officio  to  be  designated  by  the  board  of  bishops:  three 
members  elected  by  the  General  Conference  upon  nomin- 
ation of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association;  fourteen 
members — seven  ministers  and  seven  laymen — elected 
by  the  General  Conference  for  eight  years,  one-half  at 
each  session. 

Article  III— Organization. 
Immediately  upon  adjournment  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence, a  meeting  of  the  board  shall  be  called  by  the  secre- 
tary, and  an  organization  effected  for  the  quadrennium 
by  electing  a  president,  vice-president,  and  an  executive 
committee.  Six  members  shall  be  chosen  for  the  ex- 
ecutive committee,  four  by  the  directors  of  the  Home 
Missionary  Society  and  two  by  the  trustees  of  the 
Women's  Missionary  Association.  The  general  secretary 
of  the  society  shall  be  a  member  ex  officio. 

Article  IV — Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  President. — The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meet- 
ings of  the  board,  and  shall  have  power,  in  conjunction 
with  the  secretary,  to  call  special  meetings.  In  the  ab- 
sence of  the  president,  the  vice-president  shall  take  his 
place. 

2.  Secretary. — The  general  secretary  shall  keep  cor- 
rect minutes  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  society,  con- 
duct its  correspondence,  and  keep  a  record  of  all  be- 
quests, legacies,  notes,  and  other  valuable  papers  coming 

120 


THE    IIOMK    .MISMO.NAKY    SOCIKIV  121 

into  his  possession.  He  shall  also  make  out  and  publish 
an  annual  report  o€  the  work  of  the  society;  also,  a 
quadrennial  report  for  the  General  Conference.  It  shall 
be  his  further  duty,  when  practicable,  to  visit  the  fields 
where  the  board  is  giving  aid,  with  the  view-  of  acquaint- 
ing himself  and  the  board  with  the  condition  and  needs 
of  the  work.  He  shall  give  himself  to  the  raising  of  funds 
by  visiting  churches,  and  personally  representing  the 
interests  of  the  society.  He  shall  secure  from  the  con- 
ference treasurer  full  reports  of  all  moneys  paid  by  the 
conference  to  pastors  serving  conference  home  missions. 
He  shall  have  the  privilege  of  one  page  in  the  Religious 
Telescope,  subject  to  the  general  approval  of  the  editor. 
His  salary  shall  be  fixed  by  the  General  Conference. 

3.  Treasurer. — The  general  Church  treasurer  shall 
hold  the  funds  of  the  society,  subject  to  the  order  of  the 
board.  The  General  Conference  shall  fix  his  salary. 
The  proportion  of  his  salary  to  be  paid  by  this  society 
shall  be  paid  by  the  executive  committee  in  conjunction 
with  the  other  boards  having  the  services  of  said  gen- 
eral treasurer. 

Article  Y— Duties  of  the  Board  of  Control. 
This  board  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  appoint  an 
executive  com.mittee.  make  by-laws  fcr  the  better  regula- 
tion of  its  work,  appropriate  funds  for  current  expenses, 
employ  missionaries,  open  new  missions  in  conjunction 
with  the  bishop  of  the  district,  appoint  superintendents 
tor  mission  districts,  authorize  or  discontinue  appropria- 
tions, fill  vacancies  in  its  own  body  and  in  connection 
with  one  or  more  of  the  bishops,  ordain  missionaries  in 
its  employ  to  the  office  of  elder,  provided  such  mission-' 
aries  have  taken  the  course  of  study  required  by  Disci- 
pline, or  its  equivalent.  It  shall  also  have  power  in  con- 
juntion  with  the  bishop  of  the  district,  to  appoint  persons 
fcr  conference  superintendents  in  conferences  wiiere  said 
superintendents  are  supported  in  part  by  the  board. 

Article  VI — Branch  Societies. 
Each  annual  conference  shall  organize  a  branch  so- 
ciety auxiliary  to  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  consist- 
ing of  three  members,  naming  one  as  its  secretary,  who 
shall  assist  the  general  secretary  in  developing  interest 
in  home  missions  and  securing  gifts  for  the  society.  It 
shall  also  be  the  dutv  of  the  branches  to  hold  home  mis- 


122  DISCIPLINE 

sion  rallies  in  their  respective  conferences,  cooperating 
with  the  general  society  in  organizing  home  mission 
study  classes  and  the  general  spread  of  home  mission  in- 
formation. 

Article  VII— Funds. 

1.  The  income  of  the  society  from  permanent  funds 
secured  shall  be  used  by  the  board  for  its  current  ex- 
penses, unless  the  donors  direct  otherwise. 

The  annual  apportionment  and  division  of  funds  shall 
be  by  the  Board  of  Administration  as  outlined  in  the 
plan  for  said  board  in  Chapter  XIV. 

2.  Each  of  our  Sunday  schools  in  its  auxiliary  rela- 
tionship to  the  Home  Missionary  Society  is  expected  to 
observe  the  monthly  missionary  day.  Exercises  should 
be  rendered  and  an  offering  taken  for  the  benevolence 
budget.  In  places  where  a  monthly  missionary  day  seems 
impracticable  each  school  will  be  required  to  observe  a 
missionary  day  once  a  quarter.  The  first  quarter  includ- 
ing Easter  shall  be  devoted  to  the  study  of  foreign  mis- 
sions, the  second  and  fourth  quarters  shall  be  devoted  to 
the  study  of  home  missions,  the  offerings  during  these 
quarters  to  go  to  the  benevolence  budget. 

0.  The  month  of  November  shall  be  observed  by  all 
our  congregations  as  a  time  of  prayer  and  thanksgiving 
for  missions,  and  pastors  shall  preach  on  the  subject 
and  turn  the  attention  of  the  people  toward  the  extension 
of  the  Master's  kingdom  in  the  home  field. 

4.  Special  efforts  shall  be  made  by  the  general  sec- 
retary, pastors,  and  conference  superintendents  to  secure 
wills,  bequests,  and  deeded  properties  for  the  purpose 
of  building  up  a  permanent  fund,  the  interest  only  to  be 
used  for  home  missions. 

Article  VIII — Local  Organization. 
A  missionary  committee  may  be  organized  in  any  local 
church  to  interest  and  enlist  the  entire  membership  of 
the  local  church  in  the  work  of  both  home  and  foreign 
missions,  and  devise  such  methods  and  measures  as  shall 
develop  the  church  into  a  strong  missionary  agency. 

Article  IX — Mission  Districts. 

1.  A  mission  district  may  be  organized  by  the  Home 
Missionary  Society  outside  of  the  bounds  of  a  mission 
conference  or  annual  conference  and  the  administration 
of  such  districts  shall  be  under  the  control  and  direction 


THE    HO.MK    .MISSION AH Y    SOCIKTY  123 

of  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  in  conjunction  with  the 
bishop  of  the  district. 

2.  Whenever  a  mission  district  has  eight  or  more 
pastoral  charges,  it  may  be  made  a  mission  conference 
by  the  consent  of  the  Home  Mission  board,  and,  as  such, 
it  will  have  regular  annual  sessions  of  ministers  and  lay 
delegates,  presided  over  by  the  bishop  of  the  district. 
At  these  annual  meetings,  the  regular  business  of  the 
annual  conference  shall  be  transacted,  except  that  the 
conference  superintendent  shall  be  chosen  as  provided 
by  Chapter  XVI.  Article  V,  of  the  Discipline.  The  mis- 
sion conference  shall  have  representation  in  the  General 
Conference  on  the  same  basis  as  annual  conferences. 

?>.  Whenever  the  Home  Mission  Board,  and  the  mission 
conference  and  the  bishop  shall  concur  in  that  a  mission 
conference  has  reached  the  state  of  development  and 
growth  where  it  will  be  able  to  support  an  efficient  super 
intendency  and  without  aid  from  the  Home  Mission 
board,  it  shall  become  an  annual  conference. 

Article  X — Unoccupied  Territory. 
The  Home  Mission  board  may  operate  in  any  territory 
within  the  bounds  of  an  annual  conference  not  occupied 
by  said  conference,  and  by  consent  of  the  same. 

Article  XI — Missionaries. 
Every  missionary  in  the  board's  employ  shall  report 
to  the  secretary  monthly  respecting  the  condition  of  his 
charge;  and  no  missionary  shall  be  entitled  to  his  salary 
if  he  neglects  this  requirement,  or  leaves  his  field  with- 
out the  consent  of  the  board  or  his  conference  superin- 
tendent. A  similar  monthly  report  is  also  required  of 
conference  superintendents  employed  by  the  board. 

Article  XII— Social  Service. 
The  Home  Missionary   Society  shall  be  authorized   to 
create  a  bureau  of  social  service  and  reform  as  its  funds 
will  permit. 

Article  XIII — The  Relation  of  the  Ministry  to  Home 
Missions. 

1.  Every  pastor  in  charge  of  a  field  of  labor  shall  seek 
to  organize  and  train  the  membership  of  his  charge  to 
become  an  efficient  force  in  the  extension  of  our  mis- 
sionary work  in  the  home  field,  by  the  organization  of 
home  mission  study  classes,  and  the  introduction  of  mis- 


124  DISCIPLIXH 

sion  training  in  the  Sunday  school,  which  is  to  be  both 
home  and  foreign  in  its  educational  and  benevolent  work. 
He  shall  strive  earnestly  to  get  every  member  of  the 
church  to  give  systematically  to  the  benevolence  budget 
and  report  offerings  quarterly  to  be  conference  treas- 
urer. 

2.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  and  the  conference 
superintendents  shall  promote  home  missions  by  ser- 
mons, and  addresses,  and  by  careful  inquiry  concerning 
the  work  being  done  on  the  various  charges  for  this 
cause;  and  they  shall .  seek  to  develop  the  missionary 
spirit  by  aiding  in  missionary  institutes  and  in  the  wide- 
spread study  of  home  missions. 

3.  The  bishops  shall  visit  new  and  promising  open- 
ings, especially  in  the  cities  and  large  towns,  and  give 
personal  direction  in  establishing  missions  within  the 
bounds  of  their  districts. 

Article  XIV — Opening  Missions. 
The  bishop  of  the  district  and  the  general  Home  Mis- 
sion board  shall  be  counselled  in  opening  new  missions 
where  they  are   expecting  help   for   the   support   of   the 
pastor. 

Article  XV— l^elf -Support. 
When  the  board  makes  appropriations  it  shall  be  with 
a  clear  understanding  that  said  aid  is  to  be  reduced 
from  year  to  year  and  the  point  so  aided  shall  plan  for 
self-support  at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  Deviation 
from  this  rule  shall  be  only  in  case  of  emergency. 

Article  XVI — Application  for  Appropriations. 
In  conferences  expecting  an  appropriation,  the  confer- 
ence home  missions  committee  and  the  conference  church 
extension  board  shall  make  known  to  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society  at  least  two  months  before  annual  con- 
ference the  amount  actually  needed  for  the  coming  year, 
and  in  turn  the  Home  Mission  office  shall  inform  such 
conference  authorities  as  to  the  approximate  amount  it 
expects  to  appropriate,  and  the  conference  shall  furnish 
the  Home  Mission  office  a  schedule  of  the  places,  names, 
and  amounts  for  the  final  action  of  the  Home  Mission 
board. 

Article  XVII — Annual-Conference  Treasurer. 
Each    annual    conference    shall    elect    a    treasurer    cf 
benevolences  who  shall  report  in  detail  by  charges  and 


THE   liO.ME   MISSIOXAHY    SOCIETY  125 

remit  monthly  the  amount  received  for  home  missions 
to  the  general  Church  treasurer  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  who 
shall  make  record  thereof  and  receipt  for  the  same. 

Article  XVIII— RuraJ  Life. 
The  Home  Mission  board  is  authorized  to  create  a  de- 
partment on  present  day  rural  life  problems,  and  the  re- 
lation of  the  Church  to  their  solution..  This  commission 
shall  seek  to  reach  its  objectives  through  careful  investi- 
gation and  active  education  and  to  participate  where 
possible  with  other  organizations  engaged  in  similar 
work.  It  shall  particularly  assist  our  own  conferences 
in  any  rural  life  work  which  thev  mav  undertake. 


CHAPTER    XVII 
The  Fokekjx  Missionauy  Society. 
cox8titi:tion. 
Article  I — Xame. 
This   society   shall   be   called   the   Foreign   Missionary 
Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  '  the  legal  suc- 
cessor of  the  Home,   Frontier,  and   Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  in  its  foi  eign 
work.) 

Ai-ticle  II — Functions. 

This  society  is  organized  for  the  purpose  of  extending 
the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  throughout  the 
earth  by  the  utilization  of  the  resources  of  the  'Church. 
Said  society  shall,  through  its  distributed  activities,  pro- 
mote an  interest  in  foreign  missions  by  approved  meth- 
ods in  the  home  churches,  Sunday  schools,  and  Young 
People's  societies.  It  shall  disseminate  information 
touching  mission  fields;  it  shall  appoint,  commission, 
and  send  forth  missionaries,  and  conduct  any  and  all 
work  that  properly  devolves  upon  such  a  society.  The 
supreme  aim  of  the  missionary  society  shall  be  to  estab- 
lish a  self-supporting  native  church  in  each  field. 

Upon  request  of  a  mission  council  abroad,  the  society  is 
hereby  granted  authority  to  take  such  steps  in  coopera- 
tion and  federation  of  work  abroad  with  other  missions, 
after  careful  consideration,  as  may  be  necessary  and  de- 
sirable for  the  highest  development  of  a  victorious 
native  Church. 

Article   III — Membership. 
Every  person,  by  virtue  of  becoming  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  a  member  of 
the  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

Article   IV — Organization. 
The  organization  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  board 
of  directors,  an  executive  committeee,  an  annual  confer- 
ence   branch    society,    and    a    committee    in    every    local 
church. 

Article  V — Directors  and  Their  Duties. 
1.     The  board  of  directors  shall  consist  of  one  bishop 
ex  officio  to  be  designated  by  the  Board  of  Bishops,  the 

126 


THE   FORK U.X    .\ll.SMO.\  AKY    SOCIETY  1- » 

general  secretary,  six  directors,  who  shall  be  elected 
by  the  General  Conference,  and  three  directors  who  shall 
be  chosen  by  the  trustees  of  the  Women's  Missionary 
Association.  A  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any 
regular  or  called  meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  The 
officers  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  president  and  a 
vice-president,  to  be  elected  at  the  first  meeting  of  the 
directors  in  each  quadrennium,  a  secretary,  who  shall  be 
the  general  secretary  elected  by  General  Conference,  an 
associate  secretary  who  shall  be  elected  by  the  Foreign 
Mission  board,  and  a  treasurer,  who  shall  be  the  general 
Church  treasurer. 

2.  The  board  of  directors  shall  have  charge  of,  and 
give  directions  to  all  the  work  of  the  society.  The  board 
of  directors  shall  hold  a  meeting  once  every  year,  and 
upon  the  request  of  the  executive  committee,  the  presi- 
dent shall  call  special  sessions  for  the  transaction  of 
important  business.  The  board  shall  make  by-laws  to 
regulate  the  business  of  the  society;  receive  and  pass 
upon  the  reports  of  the  general  secretary,  treasurer, 
minutes  of  the  executive  committee,  and  reports  from 
the  foreign  fields;  make  a  careful  study  of  the  needs  of 
the  work  abroad  and  appropriate  the  money  necessary 
to  carry  forward  the  entire  work  of  the  society;  employ 
secretaries  for  the  cultivation  of  the  home  Church;  ap- 
point foreign  missionaries  and  fill  vacancies  in  its  own 
body;  in  connection  with  the  bishops  or  any  one  of  them, 
ordain  missionaries  to  the  office  of  elder,  provided  such 
missionaries  have  taken  the  courses  of  study  specified 
by  the  Discipline,  or  their  equivalent;  determine  the  aims 
and  methods  to  be  pursued  in  enlisting  the  home  Church 
in  the -extension  of  the  gospel;  elect  four  members  of 
the  executive  committee,  and  have  the  use  of  one  page 
in  the  Religious  Telescope,  which  shall  be  conducted  by 
the  general  secretary,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
editor. 

Article  VI — The  Executive  Committee  and  its  Duties. 
Six  members  shall  be  chosen  for  the  executive  com- 
mittee, four  by  the  directors  of  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society,  and  two  by  the  trustees  of  the  Women's  Mis- 
sionary Association.  The  general  secretary  of  the  so- 
ciety shall  be  an  ex  officio  member  of  the  committee. 
The  committee  shall  have  charge  of  all  the  business  of 
the  society  between  the  annual  meetings.     In  the  appoint- 


128  DISCII'LINK 

ment  of  missionaries,  and  in  making  appropriations  not 
authorized  by  the  board,  the  committee  shall,  through 
correspondence  or  otherwise,  secure  the  approval  of  a 
majority  of  the  members  of  the  board. 

Article  VII — Branch  Organization. 
Every  annual  conference  shall  organize  a  branch  so- 
ciety, auxiliary  to  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  con- 
sisting of  five  members,  including  the  bishop  of  its  dis- 
trict and  the  conference  superintendent.  This  society 
shall  name  one  of  its  members  as  secretary,  who  shall 
assist  the  general  secretary  in  devoloping  interest  in 
foreign  missions  and  securing  gifts  for  the  society. 

Article  VIII— Local  Church  Committee. 
A  missionary  committee  shall  be  organized  in  every 
local  church  to  interest  and  enlist  the  entire  membership 
of  the  local  church  in  the  work  of  both  home  and  for- 
eign missions,  and  devise  such  methods  and  measures 
as  shall  develop  the  Church  into  a  strong  missionary 
agency. 

Artirle  IX — Duties  of  General  Secretary. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  secretary  to 
promote  the  dissemination  of  missionary  information 
throughout  the  Church  by  tracts,  books  and  other  publi- 
cations, and  through  conventions,  rallies,  and  institutes 
to  endeavor  to  create  a  missionary  atmosphere.  He  shall 
direct  the  organization  of  mission  study  classes,  intro- 
duce missionary  instruction  in  the  Sunday  school,  and 
assist  the  Sunday-school  superintendent,  the  president  of 
the  Young  People's  society,  and  the  pastor  to  introduce 
a  regular  system  of  giving  to  missions. 

2.  The  general  secretary  shall  diligently  study  the 
administrative  problem  of  the  work  abroad,  so  as  to 
employ  such  agencies  as  shall  lead  to  the  development  of 
a  strong  native  church.  He  shall  exercise  diligence  to 
discover  and  encourage  those  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  has 
called  to  foreign  missionary  work,  shall  bring  them  to 
the  attention  of  the  society  and  executive  committee  for 
appointment,  and  shall  assist  candidates  in  the  prepara- 
tion for  their  work  before  going  to  the  field. 

3.  The  general  secretary  shall  keep  a  correct  record  of 
the  transactions  of  the  society,  and  conduct  its  corre- 
spondence. He  shall  be  the  custodian  of  all  its  legal 
papers.     He  shall  male  an   annual   report  of  the  work 


THE  FouEUiX  :missionauy  society  129 

of  the  society  to  the  board,  and  a  quadrennial  report  to 
the  General  Conference.  He  shall  call  meetings  of  the 
executive  committee  to  transact  business. 

Article  X — The  Treasurer  and  His  Duties. 
The  general  Church  treasurer,  elected  by  the  General 
Conference,  shall  hold  all  funds  of  the  society  subject  to 
the  order  of  the  board  or  executive  committee.  His  sal- 
ary shall  be  fixed  by  the  General  Conference  and  the 
proportion  of  same  to  be  paid  by  this  board  shall  be  de- 
termined by  the  executive  committee,  in  conjunction 
with  the  other  boards  having  his  services;  he  shall  make 
an  annual  report  to  the  board,  and  a  quadrennial  report 
to  the  General  Conference. 

Article  XI — The  Relation  of  the  Ministry  to  Foreign 
Missions. 

1.  Every  pastor  in  charge  of  a  field  of  labor  shall 
seek  to  organize  and  train  the  membership  of  his  charge 
to  become  an  efficient  force  in  the  world-wide  extension 
of  the  gospel  by  the  organization  of  foreign  mission 
study  classes,  the  introduction  of  missionary  training  in 
the  Sunday  school  and  other  departments  of  the  church. 
He  shall  strive  earnestly  to  get  every  member  of  the 
church  to  give  systematically  to  foreign  missions,  ac- 
cording to  the  plan  for  benevolence  offerings  adopted  for 
the  Church. 

2.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  and  the  conference 
superintendents  shall  promote  foreign  missions  by  ser- 
mons and  addresses  and  by  careful  inquiry  concerning 
the  work  being  done  for  this  cause  on  the  various 
charges,  and  they  shall  seek  to  develop  the  missionary 
spirit  by  aiding  in  missionary  institutes  and  in  the  wide- 
spread study  of  foreign  missions. 

Article   XII — Annual    Conference    Treasurer. 
Every  annual  conference  shall   elect  a  treasurer  who 
shall   report  monthly   the   amount  received   for  foreign 
missions  to  the  Church  treasurer  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  Avho 
shall  make  record  thereof  and  receipt  for  the  same. 

Article  XIII — Missions  in  the  Sunday  Sch(A)l. 
Every  Sunday  school,  in  its  auxiliary  relationship  to 
the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  our  Church,  is  expected  to  observe  a 
monthly  missionary  day,  on  which  a  brief  mipcionary 
exercise   shall   be    rendered   and    a    missionary    offering 


130  DISCIPLINE 

taken.  In  places  where  a  monthly  missionary  day  seems 
impracticable,  every  school  shall  be  required  to  observe 
such  a  missionary  day  once  a  quarter. 

The  first  quarter  of  the  calendar  year,  including 
Easter,  shall  be  devoted  to  the  study  of  foreign  missions; 
the  second  and  fourth  quarters  to  the  letudy  of  home 
missions,  the  offerings  during  these  periods  to  go  to  the 
benevolence  budget. 

Article  XIV — A  Foreign  Mission,  Conference. 

A  foreign  mission  conference  is  composed  of  all  for- 
eign missionaries  bearing  credentials  from  the  board, 
ordained  native  ministers,  licentiates,  and  one  lay  dele- 
gate from  each  charge  developing  self-support  according 
to  the  system  adopted  by  the  conference.  Other  workers 
employed  may  become  advisory  members,  upon  approval 
of  the  conference. 

A  foreign  mission  conference  shall  be  presided  over 
by  a  bishop  or  in  his  absence  by  the  mission  superin- 
tendent. In  the  absence  of  both  the  bishop  and  the 
mission  superintendent,  the  conference  shall  elect  its 
own  chairman. 

The  presiding  officer  shall  appoint  a  stationing  com- 
mittee, of  which  he  shall  be  chairman,  and  he  shall  like- 
wise appoint  all  standing  committees. 

Article  XV — Superintendency. 

1.  The  bishop  elected  by  the  General  Conference  as  a 
general  superintendent  over  our  foreign  mission  confer- 
ences shall  preside,  when  possible,  at  the  annual  session 
of  each  foreign  mission  conference.  He  shall  give  close 
attention  to  the  large  problems  of  each  field,  and,  by 
counselling  with  the  missionaries  and  native  workers, 
seek  to  establish  native  churches  and  institutions  filled 
with  a  passion  for  evangelism,  strong  in  self-support,  and 
able  ultimately  to  extend  and  direct  their  own  work 
without  aid  from  other  lands. 

2.  The  bishop  assigned  to  the  foreign  fields  shall  work 
in  cooperation  with  the  Foreign  Mission  board  and 
with  the  mission  council  on  the  field  and  seek  to  in- 
terpret the  needs  and  viewpoint  of  each  to  the  other. 

3.  The  Foreign  Mission  board  shall  appoint  a  mis- 
sion superintendent  over  each  mission  conference  for 
one  term,  subject  to  reappointment,  or  his  tenure  of 
office  may  be  terminated  at  any  time  at  the  discretion  of 
the  board. 


THE   FOREIGN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  131 

The  mission  superintendent  of  each  field,  in  coopera- 
tion with  the  board  and  the  bishop  of  the  district,  shall 
arrange  the  work  and  take  supervision  of  the  confer- 
ence. He  shall  report  quarterly  the  condition  and  needs 
of  the  field  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  mission  board 
and  to  the  bishop  of  the  district. 

4.  The  bishop  of  the  district  and  each  mission  super- 
intendent shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the  Foreign 
Mission  board. 

Article  XVI — Reports. 
All  missionaries  employed  by  the  board  shall  be  fur- 
nished with  credentials  of  their  appointment,  and  be  sub- 
ject to  the  board  in  regard  to  their  term  of  service,  sal- 
ary, and  the  time  and  length  of  furlough.  They  shall  re- 
port quarterly  the  condition  and  progress  of  their  work 
to  the  mission  superintendent;  they  shall  also  make  an 
annual  report  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  board,  a 
copy  of  which  shall  be  filed  with  the  superintendent. 

Article  XVII — The  Mission   Council. 

There  shall  be  a  mission  council  in  each  foreign  mis- 
sion conference,  composed  of  all  foreign  missionaries 
employed  by  the  board  in  such  conference.  Said  council 
shall  be  the  cabinet  of  the  mission  superintendent,  pro- 
vided, however,  that  in  matters  of  difference  between  the 
superintendent  and  the  cabinet,  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the 
said  mission  council  shall  determine  the  course  to  be 
pursued,  except  in  matters  of  interpretation  of  the  policy 
of  the  board,  in  which  case  the  matter  shall  be  referred 
to  the  board  for  decision.  Missionaries  shall  be  eligible 
to  voting  privileges  in  the  council  only  after  one  year's 
residence  on  the  mission  field.  The  mission  superintend- 
ent shall  be  chairman  of  the  mission  council,  and  also 
treasurer  of  the  mission  funds,  unless  other  provision  is 
made  by  the  board.  The  treasurer  shall  pay  money  only 
on  order  of  the  mission  council  or  its  executive  com- 
mittee. 

The  mission  council  shall  convene  once  a  year,  and 
oftener  if  practicable,  and  receive  reports  of  missionaries 
in  charge  of  districts,  stations,  or  departments  of  work. 
It  shall  cooperate  with  the  mission  superintendent  in  the 
general  supervision  of  the  work,  by  committee  or  other- 
wise,  especially   with   reference   to   the   division   of   the 


132  DISCIPLINE 

missionaries'  work,  the  budget,  and  the  administration 
of  the  mission  funds. 

Article  XVIII — Delef/atcs  to  Gejieral  Covfercnce. 
The  nnmher  of  delegates  from  foreign  mission  confer- 
ences to  the  General  Conference,  not  in  excess  of  the 
ratio  to  annual  conferences  in  America,  and  the  manner 
of  their  election  shall  be  determined  by  the  Foreign 
Mission  board.  The  board  shall  meet  the  expenses  of  the 
delegates  from  their  respective  fields  to  and  from  their 
places  of  residence  in  the  United  States,  or  if  puch  dele- 
gates have  no  place  of  residence  in  the  United  States,  to 
and  from  the  ports  of  entry,  and  all  additional  expenses 
shall  be  met  by  the  General  Conference  as  in  the  case  of 
other  delegates. 

Art'irle  XIX — The  Powers  and  Duties  of  a  Foreign 
Mission  Conference. 

A  foreign  mission  conference  shall  have  power  similar 
to  an  annual  conference,  subject  to  regulations  of  the 
mission  board.  It  shall  revise,  year  by  year,  the  list  of 
itinerants,  except  those  who  hold  membership  in  Ameri- 
can conferences,  and  report  the  same  to  the  agent  of  the 
publishing  house,  and  compile  other  statistics  of  its 
work,  as  nearly  as  possible  in  harmony  with  the  Church 
in  general,  having  in  mind  the  requirements  of  general 
missionary  reports. 

Article  XX — Course  of  Ministerial  Study  and  Rules. 

A  mission  conference  employing  other  than  the  Eng- 
lish or  German  languages  shall  have  power  to  make  its 
own  course  of  ministerial  study,  as  nearly  as  practicable 
an  equivalent  of  the  English  course.  General  efficiency 
and  practical  experience,  as  well  as  moral  fitness,  shall 
be  considered  in  recommending  candidates  for  ordina- 
tion. It  may  enact  necessary  rules  for  its  own  govern- 
ment in  harmony  with  the  Book  of  Discipline,  and  the 
regulations  of  the  mission  board. 


Section   I 

Women's  Missionary  Association. 

Section  I. 

(iENEHAL   constitution 

Article  I — Name 
The  association  shall  be  known  as  the  Women's  Mis- 
sionary Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
according  to  the  articles  of  incorporation  under  the  laws 
of  the  State  of  Ohio.  Its  general  offices  shall  be  located 
in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  II— Object. 

The  association  is  for  the  purpose  of  enlisting  and 
uniting  the  efforts  of  the  women,  the  young  women,  and 
the  children  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  to  help  send  and  support  missionaries  in  the 
home  and  foreign  fields;  to  assist  in  carrying  forward 
the  work  in  said  fields:  and  to  secure  by  gift,  bequest, 
and  otherwise,  the  funds  necessary  to  aid  in  such  mis- 
sionary operations. 

It  shall  disseminate  literature  and  information  con- 
cerning the  needs  of  the  mission  fields  where  operating, 
and  conduct  any  and  all  other  work  that  usually  belongs 
to  such  an  organization. 

It  shall  be  empowered  by  its  articles  of  incorporation 
to  receive  by  gift,  bequest  or  purchase,  real  and  personal 
property,  and  hold  the  same  for  the  uses  and  purposes 
of  said  association,  the  same  as  any  other  corporations 
of  like  character. 

Article  III — Relation  to  the  Church. 
This  association  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the 
General  Conference  of  said  Church,  to  which  the  general 
secretary  shall  submit  quadrennial  reports.  It  shall 
also  work  in  cooperation  with  the  Home  Missionary 
Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  upon  whose 
boards  and  executive  committees  it  shall  have  one-third 
representation. 

133 


134  DISCIPLINE 

Article  IV — Memhership. 

1.  The  annual  dues  for  membership  in  said  associa- 
tion shall  be  in  accord  with  the  membership  dues  of  the 
locals  and  chapters. 

2.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  membership.* 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  directorship.* 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  patronship.* 

3.  Life  patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  board  of 
managers.  Life  directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of 
the  same.  Life  patrons  and  life  directors  shall  be  full 
members,  and  life  members  shall  be  advisory  members 
of  the  branch  within  whose  bounds  they  reside.  These 
privileges  are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  annua] 
dues. 

Article  V — Organization. 
This  organization  shall  consist  cf  a  board  of  managers, 
conference  branches,   local   societies,   members   at  large, 
and  chapters  of  the  Otterbein  Guild. 

Article  YI — Board  of  Managers. 
The  board  of  managers  shall  consist  of  the  board  of 
trustees,  the  general  secretary  and  treasurer,  the  editor 
of  the  Evangel,  the  secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  the 
field  secretaries,  the  secretary  of  literature,  the  secre 
tary  of  thank  offerings,  the  life  patrons  paying  annual 
dues,  and  three  delegates  from  each  branch,  who  shall 
be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  branch  meeting  preceding  the 
meeting  of  the  board  of  managers,  and  the  branch  presi- 
dents if  present. 

Article  VII — Duties  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 
The  board  of  managers  shall  meet  biennially.  It  shall 
receive  and  pass  upon  the  reports  of  the  general  secre- 
tary, treasurer,  department  secretaries,  editor  and  pub- 
lisher of  the  Evangel,  branch  organizations,  and  reports 
from  the  mission  fields.  It  shall  elect' by  ballot  the  mem- 
bers of  the  board  of  trustees,  the  secretary  of  literature, 
and  the  secretary  of  thank  offering.  It  shall  suggest 
plans  for  the  work  of  the  association  for  the  succeeding 
two  years. 


*A   certificato   sliall    hv  sivcu   at    the  time  of  ijaymeiit   iii   full, 
but  tills  certificate  shall  iKjt  exempt  from  anuual  dues. 


women's   missionary    society  135 

Article  VIII — Board  of  Trustees. 

1.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  consist  of  nine  members 
who  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  biennial  meeting  of 
the  board  of  managers,  six  of  whom  and  no  more  shall 
be  residents  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  or  vicinity. 

2.  The  officers  of  the  association  receiving  compensa- 
tion shall  not  be  eligible  for  election  to  the  board  of 
managers. 

Article  IX — Duties  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

1.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  assemble  before  the 
close  of  the  biennial  meeting  of  the  board  of  managers 
and  organize  by  electing  from  its  own  number  the  officers 
provided  for  in  Article  X,  except  those  receiving  com- 
pensation. It  shall  choose  from  its  own  number  the 
necessary  representation  upon  the  boards  of  the  Home 
Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 
It  shall  also  elect  two  members  to  serve  on  the  Home 
Missionary  executive  committee  and  two  members  to 
serve  on  the  Foreign  Missionary  executive  committee, 
one  of  whom  may  be  the  general  secretary  and  the  other 
a  trustee. 

2.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  elect  the  general  secre- 
tary and  treasurer,  the  editor  of  the  Evangel,  the  secre- 
tary of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  the  field  secretaries,  and  a 
third  member  of  the  general  literature  committee. 

3.  In  the  interim  between  the  meetings  of  the  board 
of  managers  the  board  of  trustees  shall  have  full  power 
and  control  of  the  general  interests  and  administration 
of  the  affairs  of  the  association  including  the  making  of 
appropriations,  and  the  fixing  of  salaries,  and  shall  have 
power  to  fill  all  vacancies.  It  shall  recommend  to  the 
board  of  managers  such  actions  as  it  may  deem  advisable 
for  the  benefit  of  the  association. 

4.  All  legal  papers  of  the  association  shall  be  exe- 
cuted by  the  president  and  the  general  secretary  of  the 
association,  provided  that  the  president  lives  in  Dayton, 
Ohio,  or  vicinity,  otherwise  by  the  chairman  of  the  resi- 
dent trustees  and  the  general  secretary,  who  shall  sign 
and  seal  all  such  papers,  including  deeds  of  transfer,  in 
the  name  of  and  on  behalf  of  the  association. 

5.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  have  the  authority  to 
appoint  and  empower  one  or  two  persons  to  act  for  the 
association  with  power  of  attorney  when  occasion  may 
arise  to  demand  such  action. 


i:^.G  DISCIPLINE 

Article  X — General   Officers. 

The  officers  of  the  association  shall  be  a  president, 
three  vice-presidents,  a  general  secretary,  a  recording 
secretary,  a  treasurer,  and  a  chairman  of  the  resident 
trustees,  as  provided  in  Article  IX.  The  offices  of  gen- 
eral secretary  and  treasurer  may  be  held  by  one  person. 

Article  XI — Duties  of  General  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  biennial  meeting 
of  the  board  of  managers  and  shall  have  general  super- 
vision of  the  work  of  the  association. 

2.  The  vice-presidents  shall  cooperate  with  the  presi- 
dent in  carrying  forward  the  work  of  the  association. 
They  shall  preside  in  the  absence  of  the  president  or 
upon  request. 

3.  The  general  secretary  shall,  under  the  supervision 
of  the  board  of  trustees,  attend  to  all  the  business  con- 
nected with  the  association,  secure  gifts  and  bequests, 
keep  all  documents  pertaining  to  the  association  and 
attend  to  correspondence.  She  shall  have  general  direc- 
tion and  oversight  of  all  the  v/ork  in  the  office  and  shall 
be  responsible  for  the  coordination  of  the  various  depart- 
ments in  the  promotion  of  the  work. 

She  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the  association 
through  the  Evangel,  an  annual  report  to  the  Home  and 
the  Foreign  Missionary  societies,  a  biennial  report  to 
the  board  of  managers,  and  a  quadrennial  report  to  the 
General  Conference.  She  shall  have  power  to  call  meet- 
ings of  the  board  of  trustees. 

4.  The  recording  secretary  shall  keep  the  minutes  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  biennial  meetings  of  the  board  of 
managers,  and  of  all  the  meetings  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees. She  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the  associa- 
tion through  the  Evangel  and  a  biennial  report  to  the 
board  of  managers. 

5.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  coming  into 
the  Women's  Missionary  Association  and  transmit  quar- 
terly, on  order  of  the  trustees,  to  the  general  Church 
treasurer,  those  funds  which  are  to  be  disbursed  for 
work  in  the  mission  fields  on  order  of  the  executive 
committees  of  the  Home  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
societies. 

The  treasurer  shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also  an 
annual  report  to  the  association  through  the  Evangel,  an 


\V().Mi:.\',S     MISSION  AIIV     SOC'IKTY  137 

annual  report  to  the  Home  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
societies,  and  a  biennial  report  to  the  board  of  man- 
agers. She  shall  give  bond  and  her  accounts  shall  be 
audited  annually. 

She  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  Evangel  and  shall 
pay  the  expenses  of  the  same  on  order  of  the  trustees. 

She  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  literature  department 
and  shall  disburse  the  same  on  order  of  the  general 
literature  committee. 

G.  The  administration  expenses  of  the  association 
shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  board  of  trustees,  said 
expenses  to  be  paid  by  the  treasurer  of  the  Women's 
Missionary  Association  on  order  of  the  trustees. 

Article  XII — Duties  of  a  Field  Secretary. 
The  field  secretary  elected  by  the  board  of  trustees 
and  working  under  its  direction  shall  by  inspirational 
addresses  seek  to  increase  interest  in  the  missionary 
work  of  the  association,  organize  new  societies,  and  by 
friendly  cooperation  strengthen  those  already  organized 

Article  XIII—Fuiuls. 
All  gifts,  bequests,  and  funds  contributed  to  any  special 
object  of  the  association  shall  be  held  sacred  to  the  uses 
and  purposes  intended  by  the  donor. 

Article  XIV — Woman's  Day. 
By  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  and  the  board 
of  managers,  the  last  Sunday  in  October  is  designated  as 
Woman's  Day.  A  public  program  may  be  given  and  an 
offering  taken  which  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  branch 
treasurer  for  the  Woman's  Day  fund. 

Article  XV — Department  of  the  Otterhein  Guild. 

1.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  enlist  the 
young  women  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to 
personal  consecration,  to  disseminate  missionary  knowl- 
edge, and  to  raise  funds  to  be  applied  to  any  work  under- 
taken by  this  department,  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Women's  Missionary  Association. 

2.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary, 
who  shall  be  elected  by  the  board  of  trustees  and  shall 
work  under  its  direction. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions 
to  branch  secretaries  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  aid  in  de- 
veloping the  work  in  the  branches,  and  conduct  the  de- 


138  DTSOIPLINE 

partment  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  in  the  Evangel,  subject 
to  the  approval  of  the  editor.  She  shall  make  quarterly 
reports,  also  an  annual  report  to  the  general  secretary. 
She  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  association 
through  the  Evangel  and  a  biennial  report  to  the  board 
of  managers. 

Article  XVI — Department  of  Literature. 

1.  The  Evangel  shall  be  the  official  organ  of  the 
Women's  Missionary  Association.  Its  editor  shall  be 
elected  by  the  board  of  trustees. 

2.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  awaken 
and  inform  the  women,  the  young  women,  and  the  chil- 
dren of  the  Church  on  the  subject  of  missions,  to  increase 
the  circulation  of  the  Evangel,  and  to  encourage  the  use 
of  missionary  literature,  missionary  leaflets,  and  books 
of  the  mission  study  course. 

3.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary 
who  shall  be  elected  by  the  board  of  managers  and  shall 
work  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees.  She 
shall  conduct  the  literature  department  in  the  Evangel, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  editor. 

4.  There  shall  also  be  a  general  literature  commit- 
tee, composed  of  three  members — the  secretary  of  the 
department,  the  editor  of  the  Evangel,  and  a  third  mem- 
ber elected  by  the  board  of  trustees — whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  prepare  and  publish  the  literature  of  the  associa- 
tion. 

5.  Through  the  department  secretary  this  committee 
shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions  to  the  secretaries 
of  literature  of  the  branches,  assist  in  developing  the 
work  in  the  branches,  submit  quarterly  reports  and  an 
annual  report  to  the  association  through  the  Evangel, 
and  a  biennial  report  to  the  board  of  managers. 

G.  All  money  received  from  the  sale  of  literature 
shall  be  retained  by  the  general  literature  committee  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  work. 

Article  XVIT — Departynent  of  Thank-offering. 

1.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  empha- 
size the  devotional  and  educational  features  of  our  giv- 
ing; to  help  the  women  to  give  thankfully,  and  as  an  act 
of  worship. 

2.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary, 
who  shall  be  elected  by  the  board  of  managers,  and  shall 
work  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees. 


women's   missionary   society  139 

3.  The  secretary  shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions 
to  the  branch  secretaries,  aid  in  developing  the  work  of 
the  branches,  and  conduct  the  thank-offering  depart- 
ment in  the  Evangel,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
editor.  She  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  associa- 
tion through  the  Evangel,  and  a  biennial  report  to  the 
board  of  managers. 

Article  XVIII — Deimrtment  of  Cliilclren's  Work. 

The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  educate  the 
children  in  missionary  work,  in  definite  prayer,  and 
systematic  giving  for  missions. 

This  work  shall  be  done  through  the  Junior  Christian 
Endeavor  society  in  harmony  with  the  following  sec- 
tions from  the  Junior  constitution: 

1.  "Monthly  missionary  meetings  shall  be  held  at 
which  time  missionary  offerings  may  be  taken." 

2.  "The  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  society  in  its  mis- 
sionary activities  is  asked  to  cooperate  with  the 
Women's  Missionary  Association  which  in  turn  may 
assist  the  Junior  superintendent  in  cultivating  a  mis- 
sionary interest  among  the  Juniors  by  suggesting  mis- 
sionary literature  and  information." 

3.  "The  missionary  funds  raised  by  the  Junior  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  societies  for  missionary  purposes  other 
than  conference  missionary  objects  shall  be  sent  by  the 
branch  Christian  Endeavor  treasurer  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association,  at  Dayton, 
Ohio." 

Article  XIX — Amendments. 
This  constitution  may  be  amended  by  a  majority  vote 
of  the  members  of  the  board  of  managers  present  at  any 
biennial    meeting,    provided    such    changes    be    recom- 
mended by  the  board  of  trustees. 


Section  II 

CONFERENCE   BRANCH    CONSTITUTION. 

Article   I — Name. 

This  branch  shall  be  called  the Branch  of 

the  Women's  Missionary  Association  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 


140  DISCIPLINE 

Article  II— Object. 
The  object  of  the  branch  shall  be  to  enlist  the  women, 
the  young  women,  and  the  children  within  the  bounds  of 

Conference    in    the   cause    of   missions,    to 

lead  them  to  personal  consecration,  to  disseminate  mis- 
sionary knowledge,  and  to  raise  funds  to  help  carry  for- 
ward the  home  and  the  foreign  work  of  the  Women's 
Missionary  Association. 

Article  III — Membership. 
The   membership   of  this   branch  shall  consist  of  the 
members  of  the  association  living  within  the  bounds  of 
the  conference. 

Article  IV— Officers. 
The  officers  of  the  branch  shall  be  a  president,  two 
vice-presidents,  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  secretary  of 
the  Otterbein  Guild,  a  secretary  of  literature,  and  a 
secretary  of  thank  offering.  The  officers  shall  be  elected 
by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting. 

Article  V — Executive  Committee. 
The  officers  of  the  branch,  together  with  the  branch 
superintendent  of  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  (who  is  a 
member  ex  officio)  shall  constitute  the  executive  com- 
mittee. The  organizers  shall  be  advisory  members.  The 
executive  committee  shall  meet  after  the  branch  meet- 
ing and  outline  definite  plans  for  the  year.  It  shall 
supervise  and  develop  the  Work  within  the  bounds  of 
the  conference;  divide  the  conference  into  districts  over 
w^hich  the  vice-presidents  shall  have  supervision;  seek 
to  secure  the  organization  of  local  societies  and  chapters 
of  the  Otterbein  Guild  in  each  church,  and  strengthen 
those  already  existing. 

Article  VI — Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  annual  meeting 
and  have  general  supervision  of  all  the  work  of  the 
branch.  She  shall  endeavor  to  have  all  the  plans  adopted 
by  the  branch  executive  committee  carried  into  effect. 

2.  The  vice-presidents  shall  cooperate  with  and  aid 
the  president  in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans 
of  the  branch.  They  shall  superintend  the  districts  into 
which  the  branch  may  be  divided,  shall  have  charge  of 
the  membership  at  large,  and  shall  assist  in  developing 


women's   missionary   society  141 

and  strengthening  the  work.     They  shall  preside  in  the 
absence  of  the  president,  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  annual  meeting  and  of  the  executive  meet- 
ings. She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports  to  the  general 
secretary,  which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  29, 
September  29,  December  29,  and  March  29,  also  the 
annual  report  not  later  than  March  29.  She  shall  an- 
nounce all  the  branch  and  executive  committee  meetings 
and  present  an  annual  report  to  the  branch  convention. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  branch 
and  transmit  the  same,  except  the  branch  contingent,  to 
the  general  treasurer.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  re- 
ports to  the  general  treasurer,  which  shall  reach  her  not 
later  than  June  29,  September  29,  December  29,  and 
March  29.  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than  March 
29,  when  the  books  of  the  general  treasurer  close.  She 
shall  pay  bills  of  the  branch  from  the  branch  contingent 
fund,  but  only  upon  vouchers  properly  certified  by  the 
president  and  secretary.  She  shall  give  bond,  and  her 
books  shall  be  audited  annually.  She  shall  present  an 
annual  report  to  the  branch  convention. 

5.  The  secretarj^  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  shall,  in 
harmony  with  the  department  secretary,  endeavor  to 
interest  the  young  women  in  each  local  church  of  the 
conference  in  missions,  and,  whenever  possible,  organize 
a  chapter.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports  to  the  de- 
partment secretary,  Avhich  shall  reach  her  not  later  than 
June  29,  September  29,  December  29,  and  March  29,  also 
the  annual  report  not  later  than  March  29.  She  shall 
present  an  annual  report  to  the  branch  convention. 

6.  The  secretary  of  literature  shall,  during  the  year, 
select  and  recommend  missionary  literature  to  local 
secretaries  of  literature,  and  for  the  sales  table  at  the 
branch  convention. 

She  shall  endeavor  to  secure  a  wider  reading  of  mis- 
sionary literature,  especially  of  the  Evangel  and  mis- 
sionary leaflets.  She  shall  encourage  the  use  of  the 
books  of  the  mission  study  course.  She  shall  submit 
quarterly  reports  to  the  department  secretary  which  shall 
reach  her  not  later  than  June  29,  September  29,  Decem- 
ber 29,  and  March  29,  also  the  annual  report  not  later 
than  March  29.  She  shall  present  an  annual  report  to 
the  branch  convention. 


142  DISCIPLINE 

7.  The  secretary  of  thank  offering,  in  harmony  with 
the  department  secretary,  shall  endeavor  to  interest  in 
this  department  the  women  and  girls  in  each  local  so- 
ciety and  chapter  in  the  branch.  Her  annual  report  shall 
reach  the  department  secretary  not  later  than  March  29. 
She  shall  present  an  annual  report  to  the  branch  con- 
vention. 

Article  VII — Meetirigs. 
The  branch  shall  meet  annually  and  shall  consist  of 
the  branch  officers,  three  delegates  from  each  local  so- 
ciety, two  delegates  from  each  chapter  of  the  Otterbein 
Guild,  the  life  patrons,  and  life  directors  residing  within 
the  branch  and  paying  annual  dues.  Life  members  pay- 
ing annual  dues  shall  be  advisory  members.  It  shall  re- 
ceive and  pass  upon  reports.  It  shall  transact  any  busi- 
ness pertaining  to  its  work.  It  shall  elect  by  ballot  the 
officers  and  three  delegates  to  the  meeting  of  the  board 
of  managers,  one  of  whom  should  be  a  representative  of 
the  Otterbein  Guild,  and  another  a  member  of  the  ex- 
ecutive committee. 

Article  VIII — Contingent  Fund. 
The  expenses  of  the  branch  officers  to  the  executive 
committee  meetings,  its  delegates  to  the  biennial  meeting 
of  the  board  of  managers,  and  all  other  expenses 
of  the  branch  shall  be  provided  for  by  a  contingent  fund 
derived  from  the  societies  within  the  branch,  as  herein- 
after provided. 

Section   III 

LOCAL   SOCIETY   CONSTITUTION, 

Article  I — Name. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the local  society, 

Branch  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Associa- 


tion of  the  United. Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II — Object. 
The  object  of  this  local  society  shall  be  to  enlist  the 

women  of  the church  in  the  cause  of  missions, 

to  lead  them  to  personal  consecration,  to  disseminate 
missionary  knowledge,  and  to  raise  funds  to  help  carry 
forward  the  home  and  the  foreign  work  of  the  Women's 
Missionary  Association, 


women's    missioxaky    society  143 

Article   III — Membership. 

1.  Any  woman  may  become  a  member  by  the  payment 
of  ten  cents  per  month,  the  yearly  total  to  be  divided  as 
follows:  $1.00  to  general  fund,  20  cents  to  branch  con- 
tingent. 

2.  The  society  shall  provide  for  all  expenses  con- 
nected with  the  work  of  the  society  through  a  local 
contingent  fund. 

3.  Any  child  may  become  a  member  by  the  payment 
of  five  cents  per  month,  and  shall  be  reported  in  the  list 
of  associate  members. 

4.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  membership.* 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  directorship.* 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  patronship.* 

5.  Life  patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  board  of 
managers;  life  directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of 
the  same.  Life  patrons  and  life  directors  shall  be  full 
members,  and  life  members  shall  be  advisory  members 
of  the  branch  within  whose  bounds  they  reside.  These 
privileges  are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  annual 
dues. 

Article  IV — Officers. 
The  officers  of  the  local  society  shall  consist  of  a 
president,  a  vice-president,  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a 
secretary  of  literature,  a  secretary  of  thank-offering,  and 
two  or  more  collectors  who  shall  be  elected  by  ballot 
at  the  annual  meeting  in  March. 

Article  Y — Executive  Committee. 
The  officers  of  the  society  shall  constitute  the  executive 
committee,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  supervise  and  plan 
the  work  of  the  society.  They  shall  endeavor  to  interest 
and  enlist  every  woman  and  girl  in  the  church  in  the 
work. 

Article  VI — Duties  of  Officers. 
1.     The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
society  and  supervise  its  general  interests.     She  shall  be 
ex  officio  a  member  of  every  standing  committee  of  the 

*A  cwtificate  shall  be  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in  lull 
but  this  certificate  shall  not  exempt  from  annnal  dues. 


144  jusgiiM.i.xK 

society,  and  present  in  writing  a  report  of  the  work  to 
each  quarterly  conference. 

2.  The  vice-president  shall  cooperate  with  and  aid 
the  president  in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the 
plans  of  the  society.  She  shall  preside  in  the  absence 
of  the  president  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  each  meeting  and  the  meetings  of  the  executive 
committee.  She  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names  of  the 
members,  also  a  separate  record  of  the  names  of  the  life 
members,  life  directors,  and  life  patrons.  She  shall  send 
quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secretary  which  shall 
reach  her  not  later  than  June  20,  September  20,  Decem- 
ber 20,  and  March  20,  also  the  annual  report  not  later 
than  March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report  in  writing 
to  the  local  society  at  each  quarterly  business  meeting, 
and  an  annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in  March. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  society 
and  transmit  the  same,  except  the  local  contingent,  to 
the  branch  treasurer.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  re- 
ports to  the  branch  treasurer  which  shall  r-each  her  not 
later  than  June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  and 
March  20,  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than  March 
20,  when  the  books  of  the  branch  treasurer  close.  She 
shall  present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  local  society  at 
each  quarterly  business  meeting,  also  an  annual  report  at 
the  business  meeting  in  March.  She  shall  present  a  report 
in  writing  to  each  quarterly  conference.  Her  books 
shall  be  audited  annually. 

5.  The  secretary  of  literature  shall  seek  to  create 
and  foster  an  interest  in  missions  by  means  of  mission- 
ary literature,  pictures,  etc.  She  shall  select  and  pur- 
chase missionary  literature  during  the  year,  secure  the 
largest  number  of  subscriptions  possible  to  the  Evangel, 
urge  the  use  of  a  mission  study  course  and  be  a  member 
of  the  program  committee. 

She  shall  send  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secre- 
tary of  literature  which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than 
June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  and  March  20,  also 
an  annual  report  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall 
present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  local  society  at  each 
quarterly  business  meeting,  and  an  annual  report  at  the 
business  meeting  in  March. 

6.  The  secretary  of  thank  offering  shall  endeavor  to 
carry  out  in  the  local  society  the  plans  suggested  for  this 


OTTERBEIX    faHLI)  145 

department.  She  shall  urge  the  use  of  the  thank-offering 
boxes.  She  shall  send  an  annual  report  to  the  thank- 
offering  secretary'  of  the  branch,  which  shall  reach  her 
not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report  in 
writing  to  the  local  society  at  each  quarterly  business 
meeting,  and  an  annual  report  at  the  business  meeting 
in  March. 

7.  The  collectors  shall  visit  the  women  of  the  church, 
solicit  members,  collect  monthly  dues,  also  special  funds. 
They  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the  treasurer 
and  shall  pay  all  moneys  to  the  treasurer  before  each 
quarterly  business  meeting.  They  shall  present  a  report 
in  writing  at  each  quarterly  business  meeting. 

Article  VII — Meetings. 

The  local  society  shall  hold  meetings  once  a  month. 
The  quarterly  business  meetings  shall  be  held  in  June, 
September,  December,  and  March,  at  which  time  the 
reports  of  officers  shall  be  heard  and  the  business  of  the 
society  transacted.  Necessary  items  of  business  may  be 
transacted  at  any  meeting. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  in  March,  at  which  time 
the  officers,  also  three  delegates  and  three  alternates  to 
the  branch  convention,  shall  be  elected  by  ballot. 

Section  IV 

OTTERBEIN    GUILD    CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I — Name. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the Chapter 

of  the  Otterbein  Guild  of Church,  

Branch  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II — Object. 
The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  enlist  young 
women  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to  personal 
consecration,  to  disseminate  missionary  knowledge,  and 
to  raise  funds  to  be  applied  to  any  work  undertaken  by 
this  department  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association. 

Article   III — MembersJiij). 
1.     Any  young  unmarried  woman  may  become  a  mem- 
ber by  the  payment  of  six  cents  per  month,  the  annual 
total  to  be  divided  as  follows:     GO  cents  to  general  fund, 
12  cents  to  branch  contingent. 


146  DISCIPLINE 

2.  The  chapter  shall  provide  for  all  expenses  con- 
nected with  the  work  of  the  chapter  through  a  local  con- 
tingent fund. 

3.  All  members  are  invited  to  sign  the  covenant. 

4.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  membership.* 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  directorship.* 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  patronship.* 

5.  Life  patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  board  of 
managers,  life  directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
same.  Life  patrons  and  life  directors  shall  be  full  mem- 
bers, and  life  members  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
branch  within  whose  bounds  they  reside.  These  priv- 
ileges are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  annual  dues. 

Ai'ticle  IV — Officers. 
The  oflflcers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  president,  a  vice- 
president,  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  secretary  of  liter- 
ature, a  secretary  of  thanlv  offering,  and  two  or  more 
collectors,  who  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  annual 
meeting  in  March. 

Ai'ticle  V — Patroness. 
A  patroness  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  annual 
meeting.  She  shall  be  a  member  of  the  local  society  if 
one  exists,  otherwise  any  missionary  leader,  and  shall  be 
an  advisory  member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the 
chapter. 

Article  VI — Executive  Committee. 
The  officers  of  the  chapter  including  the  patroness 
shall  constitute  the  executive  committee,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  supervise  and  plan  the  work  of  the  chapter. 
They  shall  endeavor  to  interest  and  enlist  all  the  girls 
and  young  women  in  the  church  in  the  work.  The  presi- 
dent shall  be  chairman  of  this  committee. 

Article  VII — Duties  of  Officers. 
1.     The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
chapter  and  supervise   its  general   interests.     She  shall 
be  ex  officio  a  member  of  all  standing  committees  of  the 

*A  certificatp  siliall  ho  givon  at  the  tinie  of  i)ayment  in  full, 
but  this  c'ortificato  shall  not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 


OTTERBEIN     GUILD  147 

chapter,  and  shall  present  in  writing  a  report  to  each 
quarterly,  conference. 

2.  The  vice-president  shall  cooperate  with  and  aid  the 
president  in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans 
of  the  chapter.  She  shall  be  a  member  of  the  program 
committee,  and  shall  preside  in  the  absence  of  the  presi- 
dent, or  upon  request. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  each  meeting  and  the  meetings  of  the  executive 
committee.  She  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names  of  the 
members,  also  a  separate  record  of  the  names  of  life 
members,  life  directors,  and  life  patrons.  She  shall  send 
quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secretary  of  the  Otterbein 
Guild,  which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  20, 
September  20,  December  20,  and  March  20,  also  an  annual 
report  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  present 
a  report  in  writing  to  the  chapter  at  each  quarterly 
business  meeting  and  an  annual  report  at  the  business 
meeting  in  March. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  chapter 
and  transmit  the  same,  except  the  local  contingent,  to 
the  branch  treasurer.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  re- 
ports to  the  branch  treasurer,  M'hich  shall  reach  her  not 
later  than  June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  and 
March  20,  also  an  annual  report  not  later  than  March  20, 
when  the  books  of  the  branch  treasurer  close.  She  shall 
present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  chapter  at  each  quar- 
terly business  meeting  and  an  annual  report  to  the  busi- 
ness meeting  in  March.  She  shall  present  a  report  in 
writing  to  each  quarterly  conference.  Her  books  shall  be 
audited  annually. 

5.  The  secretary  of  literature  shall  seek  to  create  and 
foster  an  interest  in  missions  by  means  of  missionary 
literature,  pictures,  etc.  She  shall  select  and  purchase 
missionary  literature  during  the  year,  secure  the  largest 
number  of  subscriptions  possible  to  the  Evangel,  urge 
the  use  of  the  Bible  and  mission  study  courses,  and  be  a 
member  of  the  program  committee. 

She  shall  send  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secre- 
tary of  literature,  which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than 
June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  and  March  20,  and 
an  annual  report  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall 
present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  chapter  at  each  quar- 
terly business  meeting  and  an  annual  report  to  the  busi- 
ness meeting  in  March. 


148  .       DISCIPLINE 

6.  The  secretary  of  thank-offering  shall  endeavor  to 
carry  out  in  the  chapter  the  plans  suggested  for  this  de- 
partment. She  shall  urge  the  use  of  the  thank-offering 
boxes.  She  shall  send  an  annual  report  to  the  thank- 
offering  secretary  of  the  branch,  which  shall  reach  her 
not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report  in 
writing  to  the  chapter  at  each  quarterly  business  meet- 
ing, and  an  annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in 
March. 

7.  The  collectors  shall  visit  the  girls  and  young 
women  of  the  church,  solicit  members,  collect  monthly 
dues,  also  special  funds.  They  shall  work  under  the 
direction  of  the  treasurer  and  shall  pay  all  moneys  to 
the  treasurer  before  each  quarterly  business  meeting. 
They  shall  present  a  report  in  writing  at  each  quarterly 
business  meeting. 

Article  VIII — Meetings. 

The  chapter  shall  hold  a  regular  meeting  once  a  month. 
The  quarterly  business  meetings  shall  be  held  in  June, 
September,  December,  and  March,  at  which  time  the 
reports  of  the  officers  shall  be  heard  and  the  business 
of  the  society  transacted.  Necessary  items  of  business 
may  be  transacted  at  any  meeting. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  held  in  March,  at  which 
time  the  officers,  also  two  delegates  and  two  alternates 
to  the  branch  convention,  shall  be  elected  by  ballot. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

Women's  Aid  Society. 

coxstitition. 
Article  I — Organization. 
When  at  any  time  an  opportunity  presents  itself  for 
the  organization  of  a  sufficient  number  of  women  (who 
are  members  or  friends  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ)  into  a  society  for  mutual  aid  in  pro- 
moting the  spiritual,  social,  financial,  and  intellectual 
interests  of  a  congregation  or  charge,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  pastor  or  the  conference  superintendent  of  the 
district  to  call  together  the  women  of  the  congregation 
or  charge,  and,  after  securing  the  names  of  all  present 
wishing  to  become  members  of  the  organization,  he  shall 
proceed  to  organize,  by  having  elected  by  ballot  a  presi- 
dent, vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer,  whose 
duties  shall  be  those  usually  devolving  upon  such  of- 
ficers. 

Article  II — Name. 
This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Women's  Aid 
Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
at . 

Article  III — Annual  Election. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  an- 
nually at  the  last  meeting  preceding  the  session  of  the 
annual  conference,  and  the  officers-elect  shall  assume  the 
duties  of  their  offices  at  the  first  meeting  succeeding  the 
session  of  the  annual  conference,  at  which  time  the  sec- 
retary shall  turn  over  to  the  secretary-elect  all  books  and 
papers  belonging  to  the  society,  and  the  treasurer  shall 
make  settlement  with  and  turn  over  to  the  treasurer- 
elect  all  funds  belonging  to  the  society. 

The  president  and  treasurer  of  this  society,  when 
members  of  the  Church,  shall  be  members  of  the  quarter- 
ly conference. 

Article  IV — Meni'bersMp. 
Any  woman  cf  good  standing,  friendly  to  the  work  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  may  be- 
come a  member  of  the  society. 

149 


150  DISCIPLINE 

Article    V — Meetings. 

The  regular  meetings  of  the  society  shall  be  at  least 
once  each  month,  and  oftener  when  any  interest  demands 
it. 

The  meetings  shall  always  open  and  close  with  devo- 
tional exercises,  and  the  deliberations  shall  be  conducted 
according  to  the  usages  of  the  Church. 

In  case  of  the  absence  of  the  president  and  vice-presi- 
dent, the  secretary  shall  call  the  meeting  to  order,  and 
proceed  to  the  election  of  a  president  pro  tern.,  whose  offi- 
cial acts  shall  be  valid. 

Article  VI — Dues. 
Each  member  of  the  society  shall  pay  into  the  treas- 
ury of  the  same  the  regular  monthly  dues  agreed  upon 
by  the  society,  and  in  case  a  member  shall  fail  to  pay  for 
six  consecutive  months,  unless  unable  to  do  so,  her  name 
may  be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the  society. 

Article  VII — Disbursement  of  Funds. 
All  moneys  collected  on  dues,  or  otherwise,  by  the  so- 
ciety shall  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  congregation,  or 
charge,   or   for  any  benevolent   purpose,   as   the   society 
may  direct. 

Article   VIII — Christian   Visitation. 

In  order  to  promote  the  work  of  Christianity  among 
the  families  under  our  influence,  the  members  of  the  so- 
ciety may  arrange  to  have  all  such  families  visited  at 
least  once  a  month,  by  dividing  the  homes  to  be  visited 
into  districts  and  one  or  two  go  to  each  home,  look  after 
the  sick,  invite  persons  to  the  various  services  of  the 
church,  and  report  to  the  pastor  or  leader  all  persons 
whose  interest  demands  immediate  attention. 

This  work  is  not  to  be  substituted  for  the  visitation  of 
the  pastor  or  leaders,  but  is  meant  to  aid  them  in  their 
work. 


CHAPTER  XX 

CiiiRCH  Erection  S^cikty. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I — Name. 
This  society  shall  be  known  as  the  Church  Erection 
Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
with  headquarters  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  its  corporate  name 
being  the  Church  Erection  Society  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ. 

Article  II — Memhership. 
All  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  shall  be 
members  of  this  society;  further,  any  person  paying 
$1,000  at  one  time,  or  in  four  annual  payments  of  $250 
each,  shall  be  an  advisory  life  director.  The  secretary 
shall  prepare  and  furnish  to  such  advisory  life  directors 
a  certificate  as  evidence  of  such  directorship,  signed  by 
the  president  and  the  secretary. 

Article  III— Object. 
The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  procure  desirable 
lots  in  stragetic  centers  for  locations  for  churches  and 
parsonages,  and  to  assist  congregations  in  locating  and 
erecting  houses  of  worship  and  parsonages. 

Article    IV — Officers. 

The  board  of  trustees  of  this  society  shall  consist  of 
eighteen  persons  chosen  as  follows:  One  bishop  ex 
officio  to  be  designated  by  the  board  of  bishops;  three 
members  elected  by  the  General  Conference  upon  nomin- 
ation of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association;  fourteen 
members — seven  ministers  and  seven  laymen — elected  by 
the  General  Conference  for  eight  years,  one-half  at  each 
session. 

The  General  Church  Erection  secretary  shall  be  the 
executive  officer  of  this  society,  and  its  funds  shall  be 
handled  by  the  general  Church  treasurer. 

The  trustees  of  this  society  shall  meet  immediately 
upon  adjournment  of  the  General  Conference  upon  the 
call  of  the  general  secretary,  and  organize  by  electing 
a  president  and  a  vice-president  and  secretary  of  the 
board. 

151 


152  DISCIPIJXK 

Article  V — Meetings. 
The  annual  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees  shall  be 
held  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  board  itself  may  de- 
cide. Other  meetings  may  be  held  at  such  time  and 
place  as  may  be  designated  by  the  president  and  general 
secretary.  Five  of  the  members  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

Article  VI — Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
board,  and  perform  all  duties  usual  to  the  office.  In  the 
absence  of  the  president,  the  vice-president  shall  preside. 

2.  The  general  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  board,  conduct  its  correspondence, 
and  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  securing  funds  and 
otherwise  attending  to  the  interests  of  the  society  as  the 
board  may  direct.  He  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to 
the  board  of  trustees  and  a  quadrennial  report  to  the 
General  Conference.  The  salary  of  such  secretary  shall 
be  fixed  by  the  General  Conference. 

3.  The  treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of  the  society 
subject  to  the  order  of  the  board. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  hold  annual  meetings, 
appoint  an  executive  committee  of  not  less  than  five, 
make  by-laws  to  regulate  its  business,  loan  money  to 
churches,  appropriate  money  to  defray  incidental  ex- 
penses, and  publish  such  matter  from  time  to  time  as  the 
cause  may  require.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of 
trustees,  in  case  of  vacancy  in  the  office  of  secretary, 
from  death,  resignation,  or  otherwise,  to  appoint  his  suc- 
cessor as  soon  as  practicable,  who  shall  serve  till  the  fol- 
lowing General  Conference. 

Article  VII — Branch  Societies. 

1.  Each  annual  conference  of  the  church  is  hereby 
constituted  a  branch  of  the  general  society  and  shall 
elect  a  board  of  trustees  of  not  less  than  five  of  its  mem- 
bers. This  board  shall  organize  by  electing  a  president, 
secretary,  and  treasurer.  It  shall  also  adopt  rules  of  reg- 
ulation for  its  government  in  harmony  with  the  rules 
and  government  of  the  general  board.  The  branch  sec- 
retary and  treasurer  shall  submit  annual  reports  to  their 
conference  boards  and  to  the  secretary  of  the  general 
board  by  April  first  of  each  j^ear. 

2,  The  board  of  trustees,  in  conjunction  with  the  con- 
ference superintendent,  may  take  charge  of  the  property 


CHURCH    ERECTION'    SOCIETY  153 

of  the  church  which  becomes  vacant  and  control  the 
same  so  as  to  subserve  the  best  interests  of  the  con- 
ference. 

Article  VIII — Receipts  of  Treasurer. 
The   general    Church    treasurer    shall    receipt    for   all 
money  sent  him  by  the  various  conference  treasurers. 

Article  IX — Application  for  Loans. 

1.  When  a  loan  from  Church  Erection  is  desired,  the 
quarterly  conference  or  official  board  so  desiring  it 
shall  be  called  together  for  the  purpose  of  voting 
whether  or  not  application  shall  be  made.  If  the  vote 
be  favorable,  the  application  shall  be  sent  to  the  con- 
ference board  of  trustees  for  its  approval,  and  upon  such 
approval  the  conference  board  of  trustees  shall  make 
application  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  general 
Church  Erection  Society. 

2.  Where  there  is  no  local  church,  the  conference 
branch  society  shall  act  in  lieu  thereof. 

Article  X — Granting  of  Loans. 

1.  The  board  shall  make  no  appropriations  where 
there  is  reasonable  prospect  that  the  church  asking  aid 
can  succeed  without  it,  or  where  there  is  no  prospect 
of  gathering  a  good  church  membership. 

2.  Funds  shall  not  be  loaned  to  any  church  until  the 
church  property  is  secured  by  deed  as  provided  for  in 
the  Discipline;  nor  shall  loans  be  made  to  churches 
until  their  trustees  have  forwarded  an  abstract  of  the 
title  of  their  property,  certificate  of  release  of  all  me- 
chanics' liens  and  other  incumbrances,  and  their  notes, 
secured  by  the  first  mortgage  on  the  premises  properly 
recorded  in  the  records  of  the  courts,  for  the  inspection 
of  the  board  of  managers,  or  executive  committee. 

3.  A  record  of  all  loans  placed  by  the  general  board 
on  churches  and  parsonages  shall  be  kept  by  the  secre- 
tary of  the  branch  society  in  conferences  where  such 
churches  and  parsonages  are  located. 

4.  The  branch  society  shall  assist  the  general  board 
in  promptly  securing  the  return  of  all  loans  as  they 
become  due  on  churches  and  parsonages  within  its  juris- 
diction; and  the  secretary  of  each  conference  branch 
society  shall  report  the  outstanding  Church  Erection 
loans  within  its  territory  at  each  session  of  the  annual 
conference. 


154  DISCIPLINE 

Article  XI — Duty  of  the  Ministry. 

1.  Each  pastor  shall  present  the  Interests  of  church 
erection  to  his  people  during  the  year,  and  distribute 
such  literature  as  may  be  furnished  by  the  secretary 
aand  board  of  managers. 

2.  The  conference  superintendent  shall  direct  atten- 
tion to  the  interests  of  the  society  at  quarterly  meetings, 
and  shall  advise  with  the  pastors  as  to  the  best  methods 
of  securing  the  advancement  of  the  church  erection 
cause.  They  shall  also  interest  themselves  in  securing 
special  gifts  and  bequests  from  those  who  may  be  able 
to  give. 

Article  XII — Insurance. 
The  trustees  of  any  church  or  parsonage  which  re- 
ceives a  loan  from  the  Church  Erection  Society  shall  be 
required  to  secure  said  property  from  loss  by  fire  in  some 
reliable  insurance  company  in  favor  of  said  Church 
Erection  Society. 

Article  XIII — Parsonage  Fund. 
The  board  of  trustees  may  set  aside  a  percent  of  the 
church  erection  funds  for  the  erection  of  parsonages. 

Article  XIV — Administration  of  Funds. 

1.  All  moneys  collected  for  the  various  funds  of 
church  erection  shall  be  paid  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
branch  society  who  shall  promptly  remit  the  same  to 
the  general  Church  treasurer. 

2.  All  special  donations  and  bequests  shall  go  direct 
to  the  treasurer  of  the  general  board. 

Article  XV— Lot  Fund. 

1,  Such  ^mounts  from  the  general  funds  of  the  so- 
ciety as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  determined  upon  by 
the  board  of  trustees,  together  with  all  funds  contributed 
specially  for  such  purpose,  shall  constitute  a  lot  fund. 

2.  This  fund  shall  be  used  for  purchasing  desirable 
lots  in  stragetic  towns  and  cities  of  the  various  confer- 
ences where  we  have  no  churches.  Said  lots  may  be 
gifts  to  the  local  churches  that  may  be  organized  in 
such  places,  but  the  deeds  of  conveyance  shall  contain  a 
clause  providing  that  if  the  same  is  not  used  for  church 
purposes,  or  becomes  abandoned  by  the  local  church,  said 
lots  thereupon  shall  revert  to  the  general  Church  Erec- 
tion Society. 


CHAPTER  X^I 

Printing   Establishment  and   Church   Publications. 
Section   I 

PRINTING    ESTABLISHMENT. 

Islame. 

1.  This  establishment  shall  be  called  the  Printing 
Establishment  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Election  of  Officers. 

2.  The  controlling  authority  herein  granted  shall  be 
vested  in  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  elect  the  necessary  agents  and  editors, 
and  fix  their  salaries,  and  make  or  amend  such  rules  as 
in  its  judgment  it  may  deem  expedient. 

Trustees — Election  and  Duties. 

3.  The  General  Conference  shall  elect  a  board  of  nine 
trustees  to  serve  for  four  years,  or  until  their  successors 
are  elected,  at  least  five  of  whom  shall  be  residents  of 
the  State  of  Ohio,  and  at  least  three  of  whom  shall  be 
residents  of  Dayton  or  its  vicinity. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  thus  elected  shall,  during 
the  interval  of  the  General  Conference,  take  the  over- 
sight of  the  Printing  Establishment.  They  shall  meet 
annually,  or  oftener  if  need  be,  in  the  publishing  house 
in  Dayton,  Ohio,  on  the  call  of  their  president.  They 
shall  also  select  a  local  committee  of  three  of  their  num- 
ber, from  among  those  residing  in  Dayton  or  vicinity. 

5.  The  local  committee  shall  take  the  oversight  of  the 
establishment  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings  of 
the  board  of  trustees.  It  shall  meet  monthly,  or  oftener 
if  need  be,  and  shall  have  power  to  order  expenses  cur- 
tailed in  any  department  of  the  publishing  house;  and 
should  there  arise  a  difference  of  opinion  between  the 
agent  and  the  editor  of  any  of  the  publications  as  to 
what  shall  appear  in  the  columns  of  any  paper,  the  com- 
mittee shall  decide  the  matter;  it  shall  also  decide  what 
books  that  have  been  approved  by  the  book  committee 
shall  be  published  by  the  House  and  transact  such  other 
business  as  may  come  before  it. 

155 


156  DISCIPLINE 

6.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  have  full  power  at  any 
meeting  to  discontinue  any  periodical  when  the  interests 
of  the  Church  or  Printing  Establishment  demand  it; 
such  action,  however,  shall  not  be  taken  except  by  a 
two-thirds  vote  of  the  board;  and  then  the  ofRce  and 
salary  of  the  editor  or  editors  shall  cease. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to  see  that  the 
agent  and  editors  properly  and  faithfully  discharge 
their  duties.  In  case  of  dereliction  of  duty,  they  may 
suspend  the  delinquent  party  or  parties  from  office  until 
the  General  Conference;  provided,  however,  that  no  one 
shall  be  suspended  until  a  copy  of  the  complaints  in 
writing  has  been  presented  to  the  accused,  and  an  oppor- 
tunity given  for  defense  before  the  board  of  trustees. 

8.  The  trustees  may  make  any  by-laws  which  may 
seem  to  them  expedient  for  the  regulation  of  the  minor 
concerns  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  provided  they 
are  not  inconsistent  with  any  General  Conference  rule. 

9.  The  editois,  publishing  agent,  and  trustees  are 
authorized  to  make  such  changes  and  improvements  in 
our  literature  during  the  quadrennium  as  may  be  neces- 
sary, and  also  to  adjust  any  discrepancies  between  the 
periodicals  in  size  and  price. 

Duties  of  Publishing  Agent. 

10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  agent  to  supervise  and 
manage  the  business  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees;  to  regulate 
the  publications  and  all  other  affairs  of  the  house,  ex- 
cept that  which  pertains  to  the  editorial  departments, 
in  such  manner  as  the  interests  of  the  Church  may  re- 
quire. He  shall  also  furnish  to  the  local  committee, 
at  each  monthly  meeting,  a  full  and  satisfactory  state 
ment  of  all  the  business  transactions  of  the  previous 
month;  and,  if  desired  by  the  committee,  he  shall  present 
for  examination  all  books,  vouchers,  and  papers,  and 
afford  the  committee  every  means  and  facility  for  a  full 
and  intelligent  understanding  of  the  business  of  the 
publishing  house.  He  shall  keep  separate  accounts  with 
each  department  of  the  business,  and  also  each  periodical 
published,  and  carry  into  effect  all  of  the  instructions 
of  the  board  of  trustees  and  local  committee. 

11.  The  agent  and  local  committee  shall  annually  take 
an  account  of  stock,  including  in  the  inventory  all  the 
assets,   of  whatever  nature,   of   the   Printing  Establish- 


PniXTING   ESTABLISHMENT  157 

ment  at  their  estimated  cash  value,  except  the  real  es- 
tate, which  shall  he  appraised  by  the  local  committee  of 
the  board  of  trustees  at  the  end  of  each  quadrennium, 
and  the  valuation  shall  not  be  changed  prior  to  the  close 
of  the  succeeding  quadrennium  except  by  the  purchase, 
sale,  improvement,  or  destruction  of  property.  Such  in- 
ventory shall  also  contain  a  full  and  detailed  statement 
of  all  liabilities,  profits,  and  losses.  In  making  this 
financial  exhibit,  two  separate  and  distinct  accounts  shall 
be  kept.  One  shall  be  a  complete  financial  account  of 
the  Printing  Establishment  proper,  located  on  Fifth 
Street,  Dayton,  Ohio.  The  other  shall  be  a  complete 
account  of  the  fiscal  condition  of  the  real  estate  at  the 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Main  streets,  Dayton,  Ohio,  set- 
ting forth  separately  each  piece  of  property  owned  or 
controlled  by  the  publishing  house.  The  agent  and  board 
of  trustees  shall  have  full  control  of  credits  and  collec- 
tions. 

12.  The  agent  shall  prepare  and  publish  a  report  of 
the  condition  of  the  Printing  Establishment  annually  in 
the  Religious  Telescope,  and  shall  also  make  a  report  to 
the  General  Conference.  He  shall  make  arrangements 
for  ver'batim  reports  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General 
Conference  for  publication. 

Vacancies. 

13.  Should  any  vacancy  occur  in  any  of  the  offices 
of  the  Printing  Establishment,  or  in  the  board  of  trus- 
tees, the  trustees  shall  fill  such  vacancy  until  the  sitting 
of  the  succeeding  General  Conference. 

Employment  of   Time. 

14.  No  editor  or  ofl^cer  employed  in  the  Printing 
Establishment  shall  accept  any  office  or  engage  in  any 
business  which  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of  his 
office. 

Proceeds. 

15.  The  profits  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  after 
a  sufficient  capital  to  carry  on  the  business  is  retained, 
shall  be  applied  to  the  benefit  of  traveling  and  worn-out 
itinerant  preachers  and  their  widows  and  orphans. 


158  DISCIPLINE 

Section  II 

CHITRCH   PUBLICATIONS. 

Book  Committee. 

1.  The  book  committee  shall  be  composed  of  the 
editor  of  the  Religious  Telescope,  editor  of  the  Watch- 
word, editor  of  the  Sabbath-school  literature,  the  profes- 
sor of  theology  in  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  and 
the  publishing  agent.  The  latter  shall  receive  all  manu- 
scripts and  have  power  to  call  the  committee,  and  with- 
out the  sanction  of  the  book  committee  no  book  shall  be 
published  in  the  name  of  the  Church  or  publishing 
house  during  the  interval  of  the  General  Conference. 
The  agent  and  local  committee  shall  select  a  book 
editor. 

Authorship  of  Doctrinal  Puhlications. 

2.  No  one  of  our  preachers  or  laymen  shall  become 
the  author  of  any  doctrinal  book  or  pamphlet,  in  a 
printed  form,  in  the  name  of  the  Church,  without  the 
approbation  of  the  book  committee  or  an  annual  confer- 
ence, or  of  a  committee  chosen  by  the  latter.  If  any 
preacher  or  layman  violates  this  rule,  he  shall  be  ac- 
countable to  the  class  or  to  the  quarterly  or  annual  con- 
ference, as  the  case  may  be. 


CHAPTER   XXII 

Education. 
Sectiox  I 

BOARD  OF  EDUCATION. 

Article  I — Constitution. 

1.  The  Board  of  Education  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  shall  be  composed  of  the  fol- 
lowing: The  bishops,  ex  officio,  the  presidents  of  our 
colleges,  the  president  of  The  Bonebrake  Theological 
Seminary,  and  six  persons  to  be  elected  for  eight  years, 
by  the  General  Conference,  one  half  at  each  session. 
Seven  members  of  the  board  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

2.  There  shall  be  a  general  secretary  of  education, 
elected  by  the  General  Conference. 

Article  II — Organization. 

1.  The  officers  of  the  board,  in  addition  to  the  general 
secretary,  shall  be  a  president  and  a  vice-president,  who 
shall  be  elected  by  the  board  at  the  first  session  immedi- 
ately after  the  adjournment  of  General  Conference,  and 
these  officers  shall  hold  office  until  the  next  General 
Conference. 

2.  The  general  secretary  of  education,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  board,  shall  conduct  the  correspondence, 
keep  the  records,  and  in  all  his  official  conduct  shall  be 
subject  to  the  authority  and  control  of  the  board.  His 
time  shall  be  entirely  employed  in  conducting  the  affairs 
of  the  board  and  promoting  its  objects  by  making  edu- 
cational investigations,  by  traveling  in  its  interests,  by 
visiting  the  schools  of  the  Church  and  lending  assistance 
to  the  officers  thereof,  by  making  educational  addresses, 
by  soliciting  funds  and  students  for  the  schools  of  the 
Church,  by  compiling  statistics  and  other  information 
for  the  uses  of  the  board,  and  by  performing  such  other 
labors  as  will  assist  the  existing  schools  of  the  denom- 
ination and'  those  hereafter  established  to  a  higher  de- 
gree of  efficiency,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  the 
board  may  from  time  to  time  require. 

3.  There  shall  be  at  least  one  session  of  the  board 
each  year.  Special  meetings  of  the  board  may  be  called 
by  the  president,  upon  the  request  of  five  members. 

159 


IGO  DISCIPLINE 

4.  In  the  case  of  a  vacancy  occurring  in  the  board,  by- 
death  or  otherwise,  the  board  shall  have  power  to  fill  the 
vacancy,  the  election  to  be  by  ballot,  and  the  person 
elected  to  hold  ofRce  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference. 

Article  III — Executive  Committee  and  By-Laws. 
The  board  shall  have  power  to  appoint  an  executive 
committee    from    its    own    membership,    and    take    such 
other  measures  to  accomplish  the  object  of  its  creation 
as  shall  not  be  inconsistent  with  this  constitution. 

Article  IV — Work  of  the  Board. 

1.  The  work  of  the  board  shall  be  to  assist  in  every 
way  the  cause  of  higher  education  in  the  Church,  to 
awaken  and  stimulate  an  interest  in  this  important 
work  throughout  the  borders  of  our  Zion,  to  encourage 
and  aid  our  educational  institutions  that  are  striving  to 
bring  the  Church  to  greater  efficiency,  and  to  unite  the 
friends  of  education  in  their  efforts,  that  greater  unity 
of  plan  may  be  secured,  and  the  forces  of  the  Church 
combined  to  give  our  people  advantages  commensurate 
with  the  needs  of  the  present  day. 

2.  It  shall  seek  by  the  publication  of  tracts,  pam- 
phlets, addresses,  or  books  upon  educational  questions,  to 
diffuse  among  our  members  a  more  general  knowledge 
of  the  value  of  a  sanctified  education  and  of  a  well-in- 
structed ministry,  and  thereby  awaken  in  them  a  better 
appreciation  of  our  institutions  of  learning  and  of  the 
obligations  resting  upon  them  to  give  of  their  sub- 
stance for  their  support. 

3.  It  shall  make  an  annual  report  of  the  general  and 
financial  condition  of  the  colleges  and  other  educational 
institutions  of  the  Church,  and  make  such  recommenda- 
tions to  the  managers  of  these  institutions  as  will  tend 
to  make  them  more  effective. 

4.  This  board  shall  determine  the  number  of  colleges 
and  academies,  and  the  standards  for  the  various  grades 
of  institutions  of  learning  and  the  cooperating  territory 
of  each.  In  the  readjustment  of  cooperating  territory  of 
existing  institutions,  the  board  shall  seek  such  an  equit- 
able adjustment  as  may  be  satisfactory  to  the  confer- 
ences and  institutions  concerned. 

5.  The  board  shall  determine  the  standard  of  col- 
leges which  grant  the  bachelor  degree.  The  remainder 
of  our  schools  may  be  junior  colleges  or  academies  or 


KDICVTION  161 

may  be  discontinued,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Doard. 
The  junior  colleges  and  academies  shall  cooperate  with 
the  standard  colleges  in  course  of  study,  in  students,  and 
in  every  way  possible  in  their  respective  districts.  The 
courses  of  study  of  like-grade  schools  shall  coordinate 
as  far  as  possible,  based  upon  the  minimum  of  units  as 
outlined  by  the  board. 

6.  No  church  school  shall  be  established,  discontinued, 
relocated,  or  consolidated  with  another  without  the  con- 
sent of  this  board,  expressed  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the 
entire  board, 

7.  The  board,  through,  its  secretary,  shall  make  to  the 
General  Conference  a  report  of  all  the  work  done  during 
the  preceding  four  years,  including  money  received  by 
collections,  bequests,  or  otherwise,  the  amount  paid  out, 
and  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  paid.  The  board  may 
propose  to  the  General  Conference,  from  time  to  time, 
such  plans  as  it  may  consider  useful  or  necessary  for 
the  success  of  the  work  committed  to  it. 

Article  V — Amendments. 
No  addition  or  amendments  to  the  provisions  of  this 
constitution  shall  be  made  except  by  consent  of  a  ma- 
jority of  the  members  of  the  General  Conference  present 
at  any  of  its  sessions.  Notice  of  any  proposed  addition 
or  amendment  shall  be  given  at  least  one  day  previous 
to  its  consideration. 

Article  VI — Education  Fund. 

1.  There  shall  be  an  education  fund  under  the  control 
of  this  board,  to  be  raised  by  the  secretary  and  members 
of  the  board,  in  the  form  of  cash,  gifts,  death  notes,  be- 
quests, etc.  This  fund  shall  be  appropriated  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  board, 

2.  To  accomplish  the  work  of  the  board  of  education, 
an  annual  offering  may  be  taken,  or,  if  the  board  thinks 
best,  the  amount  to  be  raised  by  the  various  conferences 
may  be  apportioned  according  to  the  judgment  of  the 
board  and  in  accord  with  the  decision  of  the  Board  of 
Administration.  The  funds  thus  raised  shall  be  sent  to 
the  conference  treasurer. 

Article  VII — Annual-Conference  Board. 
There  shall  be  a  board  of  education  in  each  annual  con- 
ference, which  shall  report  annually  to  the  annual  con- 
ference.    The  bishop  of  the  district  and  the  conference 


1«>2  IHSCII'I.INK 

superintendent  shall  be  ex  officio  members  of  this  board. 
The  number  of  members  of  this  board,  the  method  of 
their  election,  and  their  organization  shall  be  determined 
by  the  general  board  of  education.  This  board  shall  act 
in  cooperation  with  the  general  board  in  developing  our 
educational  interests  within  its  territory.  The  local  in- 
stitutions and  this  board  shall  work  in  harmony. 

Skctiox  II 

BENI.FIC1ARY    All). 

'Article  I— Beneficiary  Aid  Fund. 
The  Board  of  Education  shall  raise  funds  by  collection, 
donation,  or  bequest,  to  aid  by  loan,  without  interest,  as 
the  executive  committee  may  determine,  in  educating,  in 
both  their  collegiate  and  theological  courses,  worthy 
young  persons,  who  are  preparing  themselves  for  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  or  as  missionaries  in  the 
United  Brethren  Church;  provided,  however,  that  the 
board  may  receive  money  and  use  it  for  other  educational 
purposes,  as. donors  may  direct. 

Article  II — Reconunendations  for  Aid. 
Young  persons  aided  by  this  board  must  first  be  recom- 
mended as  suitable  persons  to  receive  aid  by  the  confer- 
ence in  whose  bounds  they  live,  or  to  which  they  belong; 
or  by  the  board  of  Foreign  Missions,  when  the  applicant 
does  Hot  reside  within  the  bounds  of  any  conference,  or 
by  an  educational  committee  appointed  by  the  conference, 
to  which  iall  requests  for  aid,  not  acted  upon  by  the 
conference,  or  which  shall  occur  during  the  interim  of 
its  sessions,  shall  be  referred. 

Article  III — Delinquents. 
No  person  having  received  aid  from  the  board  of 
education  may  be  granted  an  honorable  dismissal  by  his 
conference  until  he  shall  have  made  satisfactory  settle- 
ment with  the  board.  The  bishops  are  directed  to  en- 
force this  provision. 

SectioiX   III 

EDLTCATTON    1).\Y. 

There   shall   be   observed   annually   in    each   congrega- 
tion an  education  day,  at  which  time  pastor  and  people 


KDlt  A'llO.N  1()3 

shall  give  special  attention  to  the  educational  interests 
of  the  Church.  The  churches  and  schools  each  year 
shall  observe  the  day  of  prayer  for  students.  The  board 
of  education  shall  promote  this  day  and  secure  special 
offerings  for  the  work  of  the  board. 

Seci'ION  IV 

ACADEMIES    AND    COLLEGES. 

Article  I — Academies. 
In  this  day  of  excellent  schools  in  many  parts  of 
our  country,  academies  should  be  located  judiciously, 
and  should  confine  their  literary  courses  of  study  to 
such  branches  of  learning  as  will  prepare  for  entrance 
upon  the  freshman  or  sophomore  year  of  the  best  col- 
leges. An  academy  doing  such  work  is  greatly  prefer- 
able to  an  inferior  college.  No  new  academy  shall  be 
undertaken  with  a  less  sum  than  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

Article  II — Colleges. 

1 .  The  success  of  our  church  work  is  connected  vitally 
with  the  colleges  of  the  Church.  In  these  our  youth  are 
developed  and  equipped  in  mind  and  heart  for  the  work 
of  effective  service  to  humanity.  As  to  Christian  educa- 
tion, the  divine  Word  aptly  declares:  "Wisdom  is  a  de- 
fence, and  money  is  a  defence;  but  the  excellency  of 
knowledge  is,  that  wisdom  giveth  life  to  them  that 
have  it.'' 

2.  The  ministry  and  laity  should  earnestlj^  use  their 
power  to  have  as  many  young  people  as  possible  attend 
our  own  institutions  of  learning,  and  to  encourage  per- 
sons to  give  liberally  of  their  means  for  the  more  thor- 
ough establishment  and  equipment  of  our  educational 
institutions. 

o.  No  college  shall  be  founded  except  upon  the  demand 
of  an  imperative  necessity,  or  with  a  less  sum  of  money 
than  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which  one  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  shall  be  a  permanent  and  produc- 
tive endowment.  Its  title  shall  be  in  fee  simple  to  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

4.  It  is  recommended  that  the  several  presidents  and 
principals  of  our  institutions  of  learning  be  ex  officio 
members  of  the  local  official  bodies  which  govern  the 
said  institutions. 

5.  We  direct  that  the  endowment  funds  of  our  in'stltu- 
tions   of  learning  be   kept   sacred    for   the   purposes   for 


164  I)IS(  Il'I.INE 

which  they  were  given,  and  not  dissipated  and  jeopard- 
ized by  loans  to  the  contingent  fund  of  the  institutions 
and  spent  for  current  expenses,  and  we  recommend  that 
these  funds  of  our  institutions  be  not  loaned  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  board,  or  officers  or  teachers  of  the  institu- 
tion, or  others  who  are  personally  interested  in  the  care 
and  safe-keeping  of  these  funds. 

6.  We  cordially  endorse  and  approve  the  best  method 
of  industrial  education  as  applied  in  those  institutions 
where  mechanical  and  other  equipment  is  provided  for 
this  purpose,  and  recommend  that  this  practical  train- 
ing and  self-help  be  secured  for  those  who  desire  it,  as 
soon  as  practicable. 

Article  III — College  Extension  Courses. 
In  view  of  the  fact  that  many  of  our  ministers  and 
laymen  who  find  it  impossible  to  go  away  to  school, 
would  be  glad  to  pursue  a  course  of  study,  and  in  view 
of  the  university  and  college  movement  now  organized 
in  most  of  the  schools  of  higher  education  in  our  land, 
we  recommend: 

1.  That  all  our  colleges  offer  such  non-resident  courses 
of  study  as  they  may  be  able  to  teach,  for  the  aid  and  en- 
couragement of  the  above-named  class  of  students. 

2.  That  these  students  be  examined  thoroughly  on 
their  courses  of  study,  and  that  suitable  diplomas  be 
awarded  those  who  complete  their  work  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  respective  colleges. 

3.  We  recommend  that  our  institutions  of  learning 
provide  such  instruction  as  prepare  their  students  to  be- 
come leaders  of  song  in  church  and  Sunday  school. 

4.  We  recommend  that  our  institutions  of  learning 
give  greater  emphasis  to  the  training  of  their  young 
people  for  different  phases  of  religious  work. 

Section  V 

THE    BONEBRAKE    THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARY. 

Article  I — Object. 
This  institution  of  sacred  learning,  located  in  Dayton. 
Ohio,  is  maintained  by  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  for 
the  purpose  of  educating  persons  called  of  God  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  and  the  spread  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ  among  men.  It  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the 
General  Conference  of  the   United   Brethren   in  Christ, 


KDIC  ATIO.N  165 

by  which  its  board  of  trustees  shall  be  elected  at  each 
quadrennial  session. 

Article  II — Officers. 
The  oflficers  of  the  seminary  shall  consist  of  a  business 
manager  and  a  board  of  trustees,  who  shall  be  elected  by 
the  General  Conference.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  be 
composed  of  eighteen  members,  a  majority  of  whom 
shall  be  residents  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  The  acting 
bishops  shall  be  elected  by  the  General  Conference  as 
members  of  said  board  to  serve  for  a  term  of  four  years. 
The  other  members  elected  are  to  serve  for  a  term  of 
eight  years. 

Article  III — Duties   of   Trustees. 

1.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  meet  on  the  call  of  the 
senior  bishop  immediately  after  its  election,  and  or- 
ganize by  electing  a  president  and  secretary.  The  board 
of  active  bishops  shall  act  as  vice-presidents  in  the  order 
of  their  seniority.  It  shall  meet  annually  in  the  sem- 
inary building  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  elect  a  president  of  the 
seminary  and  the  necessary  faculty,  review  the  work  of 
the  business  manager  and  the  faculty,  determine  the  sal- 
aries of  the  faculty,  and  adopt  measures  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  interests  of  the  institution. 

2.  A  vacancy  in  the  office  of  business  manager  or 
trustee  shall  be  filled  by  the  board  of  trustees,  to  serve, 
until  the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Conference. 

3.  The  board  shall  elect  four  persons  who,  together 
with  the  business  manager,  shall  constitute  the  executive 
committee,  which  shall  meet  on  call  of  the  chairman  and 
transact  business  for  the  institution  in  accord  with  the 
orders  and  plans  of  the  board  of  trustees. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  make  a  report  of  its 
work  to  the  General  Conference,  giving  such  facts  in 
connection  with  the  seminary  as  it  may  deem  of  im- 
portance. 

Article  IV — Business  Manager. 
The  business  manager  shall  reside  in  Dayton,  Ohio, 
and  shall  manage  the  assets  under  the  direction  of  the 
executive  committee,  have  charge  of  all  the  property, 
and  manage  the  business  of  the  institution.  He  shall 
solicit  and,  with  the  consent  and  approval  of  the  board 
of  trustees,  or  executive  committee,  employ  others  to 
solicit  contributions  to  the  Seminary.     In  the  name  of 


166  I)IS(  IIM.INK 

The  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  and  under  its 
corporate  seal,  the  business  manager  shall  execute  all 
deeds  of  transfer  and  other  legal  documents  which  may 
be  authorized  by  the  board  of  trustees  or  its  executive 
committee.  He  shall  report  to  the  board  of  trustees  an- 
nually, and  to  the  General  Conference  quadrennially,  an 
account  of  all  receipts  and  expenditures,  together  with 
any  recommendations  pertaining  to  the  business  inter- 
ests of  the  institution. 

Article  V — Duties  of  the  President. 
The  duties  of  the  president  of  the  seminary  shall  be  as 
follows: 

1.  He  shall  be  the  chairman  of  the  seminary  faculty. 

2.  He,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  faculty,  shall  de- 
termine the  courses  of  study,  and  keep  them  in  absolute 
harmony  with  the  doctrines  and  polity  of  the  denomina- 
tion as  set  forth  by  the  Confession  of  Faith. 

3.  He  may  recommend  persons  for  election  to  the 
seminary  faculty. 

4.  He  shall  have  charge  of  all  matters  pertaining  to 
the  instruction  and  discipline  of  the  seminary. 

5.  He  shall  direct  efforts  to  increase  the  number  of 
students,  and,  in  connection  with  the  business  manager, 
seek  to  promote  every  interest  of  the  seminary. 

6.  He  shall  make  a  report  annually  to  the  board  of 
trustees,  and  quadrennially  to  the  General  Conference, 
setting  forth  the  doctrinal,  spiritual,  and  scholastic  con- 
dition of  the  seminary. 

7.  He  shall  be  an  advisory  member  of  the  executive 
committee  of  the  seminary. 

8.  He  shall  edit  the  Seminary  Bulletin,  and  provide 
space  therein  for  the  use  of  the  business  manager, 

9.  He  shall  report  to  the  executive  committee  at  the 
close  of  each  term. 

Article  VI — The  Custodian  of  Funds. 
The  general  Church  treasurer  shall  receive  and   dis- 
burse on  order  the  funds  of  the  seminary. 

Article  VII — Endowment  and  other  Funds. 
All  moneys  or  values  of  any  kind  given  to  the  semi- 
nary as  an  endowment  shall  be  held  sacred  as  a  perma- 
nent fund  and  securely  invested,  the  interest  only  to  be 
used  in  the  maintenance  of  the  Seminary.  All  other  funds 


KDl  CATION  167 

shall  be  used  as  the  interests  of  the  Seminary  may  re- 
quire or  as  the  donors  may  direct. 

Article   VIII — Annual  Incornc. 
The  annual  apportionment  and  division  of  funds  shall 
be  by  the  Board  of  Administration,  as  outlined  in  the 
plan  of  finances  of  the  Church  (Chapter  XXXIII). 

Article  IX — Obligation  of  Faculty. 

Each  professor  chosen  to  a  chair  in  the  seminary  shall, 
upon  the  day  of  his  inauguration,  publicly  subscribe  to 
the  following  declaration  of  faith  and  obligation: 

1  solemnly  declare,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  the 
officers  of  The  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  that  1 
believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Testaments,  to 
be  the  inspired  Word  of  God,  and,  with  the  Holy  Spirit, 
the  only  perfect  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  I  believe 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  as  contained  in  the  thirteen 
articles  in  our  Book  of  Discipline,  to  be  a  truthful  con- 
sensus of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Bible.  I  be- 
lieve that  the  system  of  church  government,  as  pre- 
sented in  the  Book  of  Discipline  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  is  consistent  with  the  teachings  of  the  sacred 
Scriptures,  and  I  solemnly  promise  that  I  will  not  teach 
or  insinuate  anything  that  shall  in  any  way  be  incon- 
sistent with  the  foregoing  declaration,  or  that  is  not  in 
harmony  with  the  Constitution  and  Confession  of  Faith 
and  the  rules  of  the  Church  as  set  forth  in  the  Discipline 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  I  also  promise,  by 
divine  assistance,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  to  sustain  the 
doctrines  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  thus  set  forth  by  the 
Church,  in  opposition  to  all  forms  of  error,  as  long  as  I 
shall  remain  a  professor  in  this  institution. 

[Name] 

Article  X — Entrance  Examination. 
The  faculty  shall  require  candidates  for  admission  to 
the  Seminary  to  pass  any  examinations  deemed  neces- 
sary to  determine  their  fitness,  and  arrange  for  examina- 
tions in  the  respective  conferences  without  expense  to 
the  candidates;  provided,  that  no  person  shall  be  permit- 
ted to  enter  the  regular  course  who  has  not  had  a  high 
school  course  or  its  fair  equivalent. 


168  DISCll'MNE 

Article  XI — Postgraduate  Studies. 
The  faculty  may  arrange  postgraduate  courses  of  read- 
ing to  cover  one,  two,  or  three  years,  for  the  successful 
completion  of  which  appropriate  seals  shall  be  placed 
upon  the  diplomas  of  alumni.  The  examination  shall  be 
by  correspondence,  or  otherwise,  as  the  faculty  may 
arrange. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 
Board  ok  EvANCiKi.isM, 

1.  The  Board  of  Evangelism  shall  consist  of  four  min- 
isters and  four  laymen,  elected  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence, with  the  board  of  bishops  and  the  secretary  of  the 
Home  Mission  board,  members  ex  officio.  A  secretary 
of  evangelism  shall  be  elected  by  the  General  Conference. 

Duties, 

2.  The  secretary  of  evangelism,  in  conjunction  with 
the  Board  of  Evangelism,  shall  arrange  for  the  employ- 
ment and  support  of  evangelists  to  work  in  the  Church  at 
large,  and  to  provide  and  send  out  such  literature  as 
will  arouse  greater  interest  in  this  phase  of  Christian 
activity.  The  secretary  and  the  board  shall  give  careful 
and  studied  attention  to  the  character  and  fitness  of  the 
men  of  this  denomination  who  desire  to  do  the  work  of 
an  evangelist,  and  furnish  reliable  information  concern- 
ing the  same  to  the  Commission  on  Evangelism  of  the 
Federal  Council  of  Churches  of  Christ  in  America,  and 
to  committees  desiring  evangelistic  help. 

Conference   and    Local   Organization. 

3.  Each  annual  conference  shall  have  an  evangelistic 
committee  consisting  of  the  conference  superintendent, 
or  superintendents,  and  the  superintendent's  council, 
which  shall  have  oversight  of  evangelistic  work  in  the 
annual  conference,  and  shall  report  quarterly  to  the  gen- 
eral secretary  of  evangelism  on  blanks  provided  by  the 
board. 

4.  Each  local  church  shall  have  a  committee  of  three 
or  more  who,  in  conjunction  with  the  pastor,  shall  con- 
stitute a  local  evangelistic  committee,  of  which  the  pastor 
shall  be  the  chairman.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  arouse  an  evangelistic  spirit  in  the  local  church, 
and,  if  possible,  to  enlist  every  member  of  the  church  in 
soul  winning.  This  committee  shall  take  an  annual 
census  of  the  locality  in  which  the  church  is  situated  and 
tabulate  the  result  for  the  use  of  the  church  and  Sunday 
school,  and  report  the  same  to  the  conference  committee. 

169 


170  l>IS(  II'I.I.NK 

Classification  of  Evangelists. 

5.  Two  classes  of  evangelists  are  to  be  recognized,  as 
follows:  First,  evangelists-at-large,  who  may  work  in- 
dependently 0  runder  the  direction  of  the  board  of  evan- 
gelism. Second,  conference  evangelists,  employed  by  the 
annual  conference  at  a  stated  salary  to  be  provided  for 
by  the  annual  conference  or  otherwise.  Anyone  desiring 
the  relation  of  evangel ist-at-large  must  be  approved  by 
his  annual  conference  and  receive  credentials  from  the 
board  of  evangelism,  and  it  is  urged  that  only  such  per- 
sons as  are  thus  approved  be  announced  in  our  church 
periodicals.  No  person  shall  be  recognized  as  an  evan- 
gelist who  has  not  been  approved  by  his  annual  con- 
ference. 

6.  Before  any  evangelist,  other  than  those  of  our  own 
Church,  shall  be  invited  to  conduct  meetings  in  any  of 
our  local  churches,  he  must  be  endorsed  by  the  bishop  of 
the  district  and  the  superintendent  of  the  conference. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 
Gknekal  Church   Tkeasuuy. 

The  General  Conference  shall  elect  a  general  Church 
treasurer,  who  shall  be  the  treasurer  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
and  who  shall  receive  and  disburse,  on  order,  the  funds 
of  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society,  Church  Erection  Society,  the  board  of  control  of 
the  Sunday  School,  Brotherhood  and  Young  People's 
work,  the  Board  of  Education,  General  Conference  ex- 
pense fund,  The  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary  fund, 
and  other  benevolent  funds  of  the  Church.  Said  treas- 
urer shall  give  bond  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his 
duty,  the  bond  to  be  fixed  by  the  board  of  bishops  and 
the  salary  by  the  General  Conference. 


171 


CHAPTER  XXV 

Historical  Society. 

Section   I 

GENERAL   CONFERENCE    APPROVAL. 

1.  The  Historical  Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  located  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  having  for 
its  object  the  collecting  and  preserving  of  papers,  records, 
books,  and  other  materials  bearing  upon  the  history  of 
the  Church,  has  the  recognition  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence. 

2.  Said  society  shall,  through  its  officers,  make  quad- 
rennial reports  to  the  General  Confernce. 

Section   II 

CONSTITCTION. 

Article  I — Name. 
The  name  of  this  society  shall  be  the  Historical  Society 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II— Object. 
Its  object  shall  be  to  collect  and  preserve  information 
in  connection  with  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ:  also,  objects  of  curiosity 
and  interest,  in  the  form  of  manuscripts,  books,  pam- 
phlets, medals,  portraits,  etc. 

Article  III — Location. 
The  business  headquarters,  the  museum,  and  library  of 
the  society  shall  be  located  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  IV — Members. 

1.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  managers 
may  become  a  member  upon  the  payment  of  an  initiatory 
fee  of  one  dollar,  and  may  retain  membership  by  con- 
tributing one  dollar  annually  thereafter.  In  case  of 
failure  to  pay  fees  within  six  months  after  they  are  due. 
membership  shall  be  forfeited. 

2.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  managers 
may,  by  the  payment  of  ten  dollars,  become  a  life  mem- 
ber, and  shall  be  exempt  from  the  payment  of  the  annual 
fee. 

172 


IITSTORK  AL    SOCIETY  173 

3.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  power  to  appoint 
a  corresponding  member  within  each  of  the  annual  con- 
ferences of  the  Church;  but,  at  the  request  of  the  board 
of  managers,  a  corresponding  member  may  be  elected  by 
an  annual  conference.  Other  corresponding  members  may 
be  elected  by  the  board,  at  their  option. 

4.  Any  person  considered  worthy  of  the  honor  may 
be  elected  by  the  board  of  managers  to  honorary  mem- 
bership, without  fees. 

Article   V — Officers. 

1.  The  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  first,  sec- 
ond, and  third  vice-presidents,  secretary,  librarian,  and 
a  board  of  managers  consisting  of  these  officers  and  eight 
other  members.  The  general  Church  treasurer  is,  by 
enactment  of  General  Conference,  the  treasurer  of  the 
society. 

2.  These  officers  shall  be  elected  at  each  regular  an- 
nual meeting,  and  shall  serve  until  their  successors  have 
been  duly  elected. 

3.  The  election  of  officers  shall  be  conducted  by  bal- 
lot, unless  there  is  but  one  nomination,  in  which  case  the 
election  may  be  by  acclamation. 

4.  In  voting  by  ballot,  no  votes  shall  be  counted  ex- 
cept those  votes  cast  by  members  present  at  the  meeting, 
for  persons  nominated,  and  a  majority  of  all  votes  cast 
shall  be  necessary  to  election. 

5.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  power  to  fill 
vacancies. 

Article  VI — Duties  and  Privileges  of  Members. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  members  of  every  class  to 
promote  the  interests  of  the  society  in  every  way  pos- 
sible, by  securing  for  the  society  such  information  and 
such  articles  as  will  be  of  value  in  accomplishing  the 
purpose  of  the  organization. 

2.  Annual  and  life  members  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the 
privileges  of  the  society,  including  admission  to  the  mu- 
seum and  library.  Corresponding  and  honorary  mem- 
bers shall  be  entitled  to  admission  to  the  museum  and 
library. 

Article  VII — Duties  of  Officers. 
1.     The  duties  of  the  president,  vice-presidents,  secre- 
tary,  and   treasurer   shall   be  such   as   are   usually   per- 
formed by  these  officers. 


174  DlSdl'IJXK 

2.  The  librarian  shall  be  the  custodian  of  the  prop- 
erty of  the  society,  and  shall  manage  it  according  to  the 
rules  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers. 

3.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  charge  of  all 
the  interests  of  the  society  in  the  interim  of  the  annual 
meetings.  They  shall  meet  quarterly.  Special  meetings 
may  be  called  by  the  president.  Five  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

4.  The  treasurer,  librarian,  and  board  of  managers 
shall  render  reports  to  the  society  at  the  annual  meeting. 

Article  VIII — Property. 
All  the  property  of  the  society,  except  its  funds,  shall 
be  deposited  in  a  room  or  rooms,  provided  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  shall  be  open  for  the  inspection  of  the  members 
of  the  society  and  others,  under  such  restrictions  and 
regulations  as  may  be  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers; 
and  in  no  case  shall  any  article  of  any  kind  be  removed 
from  the  museum  or  depository,  except  by  order  of  the 
board  of  managers,  and  then  only  for  a  limited  time. 
The  depository  shall  contain,  under  the  same  restrictions 
and  regulations,  for  the  benefit  of  the  members,  a  library, 
to  be  formed  as  rapidly  as  circupistances  will  permit. 

Article  IX— Funds. 

1.  All  funds,  after  necessary  expenses  are  paid,  shall 
be  appropriated  to  the  enlargement  and  preservation  of 
the  museum  and  library. 

2.  All  bequests  of  money  made  to  the  society  shall  be 
funded  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  managers,  and 
the  interest  thereof  used  for  ordinary  expenses. 

Article  X — Meetings. 
The  society  shall  meet  annually  for  the  purpose  of 
electing  officers  and  transacting  other  necessary  busi- 
ness. Twenty-five  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  The  time 
of  meeting  of  the  society  and  the  board  shall  be  de- 
termined by  the  board. 

Article  XI — Amendments. 
This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  meet- 
ing by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present,  pro- 
vided that  the  proposed  amendment  shall  have  been 
previously  approved  by  the  board  of  managers,  and  pub- 
lished in  the  Religious  Telescope. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 
Homes  am)  Okphanages. 

1.  The  Qiiincy  United  Brethren  Orphanage  and  Home, 
located  at  Quincy,  Franklin  County,  Pa.;  the  Otterbein 
Home,  located  near  Lebanon,  Warren  County,  Ohio;  the 
Colonel  I.  M.  Baker  Home,  located  at  Otterbein,  Los 
Angeles  County,  California,  are  recognized  as  sustain- 
ing well-defined  relations  to  the  Church  as  general  insti- 
tutions. 

2.  The  territory  which  shall  cooperate  with  the 
Quincy  United  Brethren  Orphanage  and  Home  shall  com- 
prise the  conferences  of  the  East  Bishop's  district;  the 
conferences  of  the  Pacific  Bishop's  district  shall  cooper- 
ate with  the  Colonel  R.  M.  Baker  Home  at  its  request; 
all  other  territory  shall  cooperate  with  the  Otterbein 
Home. 

3.  The  General  Conference  shall  elect  trustees  for  the 
Quincy  United  Brethren  Orphanage  and  Home  and  the 
Otterbein  Home  from  their  respective  territories.  The 
California  Conference  shall  elect  trustees  for  the  Colonel 
R.  M.  Baker  Home. 

-t.  The  boards  of  trustees  shall  adopt  such  plans  and 
rules  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  management  of  said 
institutions,  provided  such  plans  and  rules  are  in  harm- 
ony with  the  Discipline  of  the  Church. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  bishops  to  pre- 
sent the  above  interests  to  each  of  the  respective  annual 
conferences  cooperating,  and  to  urge  a  free-will  offering 
at  Christmas,  or  some  other  suitable  time,  each  year,  and 
to  encourage  solicitations  of  funds  within  the  bounds  of 
their  districts. 

6.  In  order  to  secure  the  best  results  from  concentra- 
tion, no  similar  institution  may  be  established  without 
the  approval  of  the  General  Conference. 


175 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

Mi-NiSTEHiAL  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan 

Skc:tion    I 

.MKMHlvHSIIIl'. 

1.  Membership  in  the  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan 
shall  be  limited  to  regularly  ordained  ministers  and 
missionaries  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ. 

2.  There  shall  be  two  classes  of  members,  contribu- 
tory and  non-contributory.  Contributory  members  shall 
consist  of  those  who  make  application  for  membership 
and  who  have  not  reached  their  sixty-sixth  birthday 
prior  to  January  1,  1922.  Non-contributory  members 
shall  consist  of  those  who  pass  their  sixty-sixth  birth- 
day prior  to  January   1,  1922. 

3.  No  one  who  is  eligible  to  join  as  a  contributory 
member  and  who  neglects  to  do  so  can  receive  the  bene- 
fits of  this  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan  either  as  a  dis- 
ability or  superannuation  annuitant;  provided,  that  any- 
one eligible  for  membership  as  a  contributory  member, 
who  will  have  passed  his  sixtieth  birthday  prior  to 
January  1,  1922,  and  who  has  rendered  at  least  thirty- 
five  years  of  service  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  may  have  the  option  of  joining  the  Pension 
and  Annuity  Plan  either  as  a  contributory  or  non-contrib- 
utory member, 

4.  Applications  for  membership  shall  be  filed  with  the 
manager  of  the  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan,  and  must 
give  the  date  of  birth  of  applicant,  complete  record  of 
service  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
and  such  other  information  as  may  be  required.  A 
certificate  of  membership  will  be  issued  to  each  appli- 
cant who  meets  the  requirements  of  membership  either 
as  a  contributory  or  a  non-contributory  member. 

Skction   II 

MANA(iF:AIENT 

1.  The  management  of  this  Pension  and  Annuity 
Plan  shall  be  vested  in  a  board  to  be  designated  by  the 

176 


-MIMSTLIUAL     PINSIO.N      AM)     ANNUITY     PLAN  177 

General  Conference  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ.  The  employment  of  a  manager  and  such 
other  neip  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  administration 
of  this  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan,  shall  be  under  the 
direction  of  said  board.  This  board  shall  have  charge 
of  the  investment  of  the  funds  of  the  Pension  and  Annu- 
ity Plan  subject,  however,  to  the  restriction  that  the 
funds  may  be  invested  only  in  municipal,  state  and 
federal  government  bonds  or  other  securities  that  are 
legal  for  the  investment  of  the  funds  of  savings  banks 
in  the  State  of  Ohio.  This  board,  may,  from  time  to 
time,  adopt  such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  be 
necessary  for  the  administration  of  the  Pension  and 
Annuity  Plan,  and  it  shall  have  full  authority  to  inter- 
pret the  provisions  of  the  plan,  and  to  settle  questions 
of  doubt  as  to  the  eligibility  of  any  individual  for  mem- 
bership in  the  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan. 


SK(  TiON    III 
I  TNbS 

1.  The  General  Churth  Treasurer  of  the  Church  of 
the  Tnited  Brethren  in  Christ  shall  be  treasurer  of  the 
Pension  and  Annuity  Plan. 

2.  The  funds  of  the  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan  shall 
consist  of  the  contributory  members'  annuity  fund  and 
the  Church  service  annuity  fund. 

3.  The  contributory  members'  annuity  fund  shall  con- 
sist of  the  contributions  of  contributory  members.  The 
amount  which  each  contributory  member  will  be  re- 
quired to  pay  annually  shall  be  actuarily  computed  and 
shall  be  sufficient  to  pay  an  annuity  of  $100.00  to  each 
contributory  member  who  reaches  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years.  Payments  to  the  contributory  members'  annuity 
fund  shall  cease  when  the  contributor  reaches  sixty-six 
years  of  age,  unless  said  contributor  has  been  granted 
a  disability  annuity  before  that  age,  in  which  case  the 
contributor  shall  cease  his  payments  from  the  date  his 
disability  annuity  begins. 

4.  The  Church  service  annuity  fund  shall  consist  of 
the  amount  allotted  to  the  pension  fund  in  the  budget 
by  the  Board  of  Administration  and  such  other  money, 
gifts  and  bequests  as  shall  be  given  in  the  future  for  the 
support  of  the  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan  of  the  Church 


178  DISC  Il'l. INK 

0f  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  The  income  only  of 
the  Church  service  annuity  fund  shall  be  used  for  the 
payment  of  annuities. 

Skciion    IV 

SI  J'EUA.N  M  A'l'ION    .\.\  .\  I'lTJKS 

1.  The  maximum  supeiannuation  annuity  which  a 
non-contributory  member  can  receive  is  $400.00,  all  of 
which  will  be  paid  from  the  Church  service  annuity 
fund.  The  maximum  sui)erannuation  annuity  which  a 
contributory  member  can  receive  is  $500.00,  $100.00  of 
which  will  be  paid  from  the  contributory  members  annu- 
liy  fund  and  $400.00  from  the  Church  service  annuity 
fund.  The  superannuation  annuity  of  $100.00  which  a 
contributory  member  will  receive  from  the  contribu- 
tory members'  annuity  fund  is  an  assured  annuity,  since 
the  payment  of  contributory  members  to  this  fund  have 
been  actuarily  computed  so  as  to  provide  an  annuity  of 
$100.00  to  each  contributory  member  who  reaches  the 
age  of  sixty-eight  years.  Until  the  Church  service 
annuity  fund  earns  an  income  large  enough  to  provide 
the  maximum  annuity  of  $400.00  to  be  paid  from  this 
fund,  each  beneficiary  of  the  Church  service  annuity 
fund  shall  receive  his  pro  rata  share. 

2.  The  method  of  computing  the  amount  of  the  super- 
annuation annuities  shall  be  as  follows:  A  non-contribu- 
tory member  sixty-eight  years  of  age  or  older,  who  has 
been  in  active  service  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ  at  least  thirty  years,  shall  receive  from 
the  Church  service  annuity  fund  an  annuity  of  $400.00 
or  his  pro  rata  share  thereof.  A  non-contributory 
member  sixty-eight  years  of  age  or  older  who  has  had 
less  than  thirty  years  of  service  in  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  shall  receive  from  the  Church 
service  annuity  fund  an  annuity  of  $100.00  or  his  pro 
rata  share  thereof,  with  $10.00  additional  for  each  year 
of  service. 

'■).  A  contributory  member  sixty-eight  years  of  age 
or  older  shall  receive  from  the  Church  service  annuity 
fund  an  annuity  under  the  same  conditions  governing 
The  annuities  paid  non-contributory  members  from  this 
fund,  and  in  addition  a  contributory  member  shall  re- 
ceive from  the  contributory  members'  annuity  fund  an 
annuity  of  $100.00. 


MIMSTEKIAL     PK.NSIO.N      AM)     A.NMITY     PLAN  179 

Skction  V 

DISABILITY    AN  N  llTl  KS 

1.  In  order  to  be  eligible  to  receive  a  disability  annu- 
ity a  member  must  present  satisfactory  evidence  to  the 
board  that  he  is  mentally  or  physically  incapacitated  for 
the  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  position.  Such 
incapacitation  must  be  serious  enough  to  be  regarded 
as  permanent.  Should  his  disability  later  prove  to  be 
temporary  and  not  permanent,  the  member  may,  upon 
the  restoration  of  his  health  resume  his  payments  to 
the  contributory  members'  annuity  fund  and  the  benefits 
which  he  received  during  his  temporary  disability  shall 
not  reduce  or  in  any  way  impair  the  benefits  which  will 
come  to  him  in  the  future. 

2.  Any  member  who  is  receiving  a  disability  annu- 
ity shall  not  be  eligible  to  receive  the  increased  amount 
prescribed  for  the  superannuation  annuity  upon  reaching 
the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  but  such  member  shall  con- 
tinue to  receive  the  disability  annuity  only  with  such 
increase  as  shall  come  to  the  disability  annuitants  with 
the  growth  of  the  income  from  the  Church  service  annu- 
ity fund. 

3.  The  method  of  computing  the  amount  of  the  dis- 
ability annuities  shall  be  as  follows:  Upon  the  presenta- 
tion of  satisfactory  evidence  of  eligibility  to  receive  a 
disability  annuity  a  member  under  sixty-eight  years  of 
age  and  having  rendered  at  least  five  years  of  service 
shall  receive  a  disability  annuity  of  $100.00  and  $10.00 
for  each  additional  year  of  service,  providing  such  annu- 
ity shall  not  exceed  $400.00. 

4.  All  of  the  disability  annuity  of  a  non-contributory 
member  shall  be  paid  from  the  Church  service  annuity 
fund.  One-fifth  of  the  disability  annuity  of  a  contribu- 
tory member  shall  be  paid  from  the  contributory  mem- 
bers' annuity  fund  and  four-fifths  from  the  Church 
service  annuity  fund.  Until  the  income  of  the  Church 
service  annuity  fund  is  large  enough  to  pay  the  maxi- 
mum disability  annuities,  each  disability  annuitant  shall 
receive  his  pro  rata  share. 

Section   VI 

DEATH  I'KOVISIONS 

1.  Upon  the  death  of  a  superannuation  or  disability 
annuitant  there  shall  be  paid  to  his  widow,  so  long  as 


ISO  DISCIPLIA'E 

she  lives  and  remains  unmarried,  an  annuity  equal  to 
one-half  the  amount  her  husband  received  with  $100.00 
annually  in  addition  for  each  child  under  sixteen  years 
of  age,  providing  such  annuity  for  widow  and  minor 
children  shall   not  exceed  $500.00. 

2.  Upon  the  death  of  a  member  who  has  not  yet 
become  either  a  superannuation  or  disability  annuitant, 
there  shall  be  paid  to  his  widow  as  long  as  she  lives  and 
remains  unmarried,  an  annuity  equal  to  one-half  the 
disability  annuity  to  which  the  member  would  have  been 
entitled  for  disability  with  $100.00  annually  in  addition 
for  each  child  under  sixteen  years  of  age,  providing  such 
annuity  for  widow  and  minor  children  shall  not  exceed 
$500.00. 

0.  Upon  the  death  of  a  member  who  leaves  no  widow 
but  who  leaves  children  under  eighteen  years  of  age, 
the  annuity  to  which  the  widow  would  have  been  entitled, 
combined  with  the  additional  annuity  on  account  of 
minor  children,  will  be  equally  divided  among  the 
children,  the  share  of  each  child  ceasing  when  the 
child  reaches  the  age  of  eighteen  years. 

4.  In  case  of  the  death  of  a  widow  who  had  been 
receiving  an  annuity  and  who  is  survived  by  children 
under  eighteen  years  of  age,  the  amount  of  her  annuity 
shall  be  divided  equally  among  the  minor  children,  the 
share  of  each  child  ceasing  when  the  child  reaches  the 
age  of  eighteen  years. 

5.  All  of  the  annuities  paid  on  account  of  widows  and 
minor  children  of  non-contributory  members  shall  be 
paid  from  the  Church  service  annuity  fund.  One-fifth 
of  the  annuities  paid  on  account  of  widows  and  minor 
children  of  contributory  members  shall  be  paid  from  the 
contributory  members'  annuity  fund  and  four-fifths  from 
the  Church  service  annuity  fund. 

Section  VII 

HATES   OF   PAYMENT   FOR   CONTRIBUTORY    MEMBERS 

1.  The  amount  of  the  annual  payment  of  a  contribu- 
tory member  to  the  contributory  members'  annuity  fund 
is  determined  by  his  age  at  the  time  he  becomes  a 
contributor  and  remains  constant.  The  following  schedule 
of  payments  has  been  prepared  so  as  to  provide  for  the 
payment  of  $100.00  annually  to  each  contributory  mem- 


-MINISTERIAL     PK.NSION      AM)     AXMITY     PLAN  ISl 

ber  after  he  reaches  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  This  annu- 
ity of  $100.00  will  be  paid  to  contributory  members  in 
addition  to  the  annuity  of  $400.00  that  will  be  provided 
for  by  the  Church  service  annuity  fund.  All  payments 
by  members  cease  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years  or  earlier 
in  case  of  disability. 


Age. 

Quarterly. 

Semi-Annuah 

Annual. 

21 

$4.96 

$9.84 

$19.40 

22 

4.98 

9.88 

19.4S 

23 

5.00 

9.93 

19.57 

24 

5.02 

9.97 

19.66 

25 

5.05 

.  10.02 

19.75 

26 

5.07 

10.07 

19.84 

27 

5.17 

10.26 

20.22 

28 

5.28 

10.49 

20.GS 

29 

5.42 

10.76 

21.21 

30 

5.57 

11.06 

21.80 

31 

5.74 

11.40 

22.47 

32 

5.83 

11.78 

23.22 

33 

6.11 

12.13 

23.91 

34 

6.36 

12.62 

24.88. 

35 

6.60 

13.11 

25.84 

36 

6.87 

13.64 

26.89 

37 

7.16 

14.22 

28.02 

38 

7.48 

14.84 

29.26 

39 

7.81 

15.51 

30.58 

40 

8.19 

1G.26 

32.05 

41 

8.59 

17.06 

33.63 

42 

9.06 

17.99 

35.46 

43 

9.52 

18.89 

37.24 

44 

10.04 

19.93 

39.30 

45 

10.62 

21.08 

41.56 

46 

11.26 

22.35 

44.07 

47 

11.97 

23.76 

46.85 

48 

12.77 

25.35 

49.97 

49 

13.64 

27.07 

53.37 

50 

14.63 

29.04 

57.25 

51 

15.75 

31.27 

61.64 

52 

17.03 

33.80 

66.65 

53 

18.50 

36.72 

72.40 

54 

20.21 

40.12 

79.10 

55 

22.22 

44.12 

87.00 

Anyone  entering  the   Pension  and   Annuity   Plan  be- 
tween the  ages  of  fifty-five  and  sixty-six  will  pay  annu- 


182  DISCII'LINE 

ally  the  regular  rate  as  at  age  fifty-five,  but  to  the  first 
payment  must  be  added  back  payments  with  interest  at 
:5  percent  for  his  years  beyond  age  fifty-five. 

For  example,  at  56  he  would  pay  for  the  current  year 
$87.00;  one  back  payment  $87.00;  and  interest  on  $87.00 
for  one  year  $2.61;  total  $176.61. 

Entering  at  57;  $87.00;  two  back  payments  $174.00; 
and  interest  on  $87.00  for  one  and  two  years  respec- 
tively $2.61  and  $5.22;    total  $268.83. 

Entering  at  58;  $87;  three  back  payments  $261.00; 
and  interest  on  $87.00  for  one,  two  and  three  years 
respectively  $2.71,  $5.22  and  $7.83;  total  $363.66. 

Entering  at  59;  $87.00;  four  back  payments  $348.00; 
and  interest  on  $87.00  for  one,  two,  three  and  four 
years  respectively:  total  $461.10, 

Entering  at  60;  $87.00;  five  back  payments  $435.00 
and  interest  on  $87.00  for  one,  two,  three,  four  and  five 
years  respectively;  total  $561.15. 

Entering  at  61,  $87.00;  six  back  payments  $522.00  and 
interest  on  $87.00  for  one,  two,  three,  four,  five  and 
six  years  respectively;   total  $663.81. 

Entering  at  62,  $87.00;  seven  back  payments  $609.00 
and  interest  on  $87.00  for  one,  two,  three,  four,  five, 
six  and  seven  years  respectively;   total  $769.08. 

Entering  at  63,  $87.00;  eight  back  payments  $696.00 
and  interest;    total  $876.96. 

Entering  at  64,  $87.00;  nine  back  payments  $783.00 
and  interest;  total  987.45. 

Entering  at  65;  $87.00;  ten  back  payments  $870.00 
and  interest;   total  $1100.55. 

2.  Anyone  entering  the  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan 
between  the  ages  of  fifty-five  and  sixty-six  years  who 
is  unable  to  pay  the  back  payments  required  at  the  age 
of  entrance,  may  pay  the  regular  annual  payment  of 
$87.00  only,  and  upon  retirement  either  for  disability 
or  superannuation  such  person  shall  receive  one-half  of 
the  regular  disability  or  superannuation  annuity  which 
would  otherwise  be  paid.  This  one-half  regular  disabil- 
ity or  superannuation  annuity  will  be  paid  only  until 
the  unpaid  back  payments  of  the  member,  with  interest 
at  3  percent,  have  been  made  up,  after  which  the 
regular  full  disability  or  superannuation  annuity  will  be 
paid. 


MIXISTEKIAI.     I'KNSION      AND     ANNTtTY     PLAN  183 

:'..  The  payments  of  contributory  meml)ers  are  pay- 
able annually  in  advance  at  the  office  of  the  treasurer 
on  each  anniversary  date  of  the  certificate  of  member- 
ship, but  they  may  be  paid  in  semi-annual  or  quarterly 
installments. 

4.  Sixty  days  grace  without  interest,  shall  be  granted 
for  each  payment  of  dues  or  installment  of  dues  during 
which  time  the  privileges  and  benefits  of  membership 
shall  continue  in  force. 

5.  If  death  or  disability  occurs  within  the  days  of 
grace  the  unpaid  portion  of  the  member's  dues  for  the 
current  year  shall  be  deducted  from  the  current  annuity 
payments. 

<i.  In  case  a  member  becomes  delinquent  in  the  pay- 
ment of  his  dues  he  may  be  reinstated  on  condition  that 
the  board  approves  his  application  for  reinstatement 
and  he  pays  all  arrearages  of  dues  with  interest  at 
six  percent  compounded  annually. 

7.  Anyone  who  believes  himself  unable  to  pay  the 
full  rate  may  join  The  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan: 

( a )  By  electing  to  pay  one-half  of  the  full  rate  and 
receive  accordingly  the  proportionate  one-half  interest 
in  the  annuity  benefits.  These  one-half  annuity  bene- 
fits shall  be  one-half  of  the  annuity  benefits  which  the 
member  secures  from  the  contributory  members'  annuity 
fund  plus  one-half  of  the  annuity  benefits  which  come 
from  the  Church  service  annuity  fund. 

(b)  Anyone  who  joins  the  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan 
at  the  half-rate  payment  may  advance  at  any  time  to  the 
full-rate  payment  and  thus  secure  the  full  annuity  bene- 
fits by  paying  the  rate  for  the  age  at  which  the  appllca- 
t'ion  for  the  full  rate  is  made.  The  member  will  thus  be 
entitled  to  the  full  annuity  benefits  of  the  Pension  and 
Annuity  Plan,  but  he  will  pay  one-half  of  the  rate  for 
the  age  when  he  joins  the  plan  and  one-half  of  the  rate 
for  the  age  when  he  made  application  for  full  benefits. 
For  example:  A  member  applying  for  admission  to  the 
Pension  and  Annuity  Plan  at  the  one-half  rate  at  25 
years  of  age  would  pay  one-half  of  the  25-year  rate, 
which  is  $9.88.  If  fifteen  years  later  at  the  age  of  40 
he  should  apply  for  the  full  rate  payment,  he  would 
increase  his  payment  by  one-half  of  the  full  40-year-age 
rate,  which  is  $16.03.  This  would  make  his  total  pay- 
ment $9.88   plus  $16.03   or   $25.91   which   is   larger  than 


184  DISCUM.INK 

the  full   25-year  rate  autl  smaller   than   the  full   40-year 
rate. 

Skction    VIII 

WnilDKANVAL.S. 

1.  Should  a  member  leave  the  service  of  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  or  engage  in  an  occu- 
pation that  would  disqualify  him  for  membership  in  the 
Pension  and  Annuity  Plan,  his  membership  shall  auto- 
matically cease  and  upon  the  surrender  of  his  certificate 
of  membership  his  payments  to  the  contributory  mem- 
bers' annuity  fund,  less  the  amount  of  any  disability 
annuity  which  he  may  have  received,  shall  be  returned 
to  him. 

2.  Should  a  member- withdraw  from  the  Pension  and 
Annuity  Plan  for  any  reason  other  than  ineligibility 
to  continue  as  a  member,  and  surrender  his  certificate 
of  membership,  his  payments  to  the  contributory  mem- 
bers' annuity  fund,  less  the  amount  of  any  disability 
annuity  which  he  may  have  received,  shall  be  returned 
to  him. 

:').  A  member  who  has  withdrawn  from  the  Pension 
and  Annuity  Plan  may  again  become  a  member  on  con- 
dition that  the  board  approves  his  application,  for  the 
renewal  of  his  membership  and  he  returns  to  the  con- 
tributory members'  annuity  fund  the  amount  of  the 
payments  refunded  to  him  with  interest  compounded 
annually  at  six  percent  from  the  date  of  refund.  The 
rate  of  payment  of  one  who  thus  renews  his  membership 
shall  be  determined  by  his  age  when  he  renews  his 
membership. 


PART  VI 

Boundaries 
CHAPTER  XXVIII 
Bishops'   Districts.' 
I     East  District. 
Allegheny,  East  Pennsylvania,  Erie,  Florida,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Virginia,  and  West  Virginia. 

II     Central  District. 
East  Ohio,  Miami,  Ohio  German,  Sandusky,  Southeast 
Ohio,  and  Tennessee. 

III  Northwest  District. 

Indiana,    Michigan,    Minnesota,    Illinois,    St.    Joseph, 
White  River,  and  Wisconsin. 

IV  SotTTHWEST  District. 

Colorado,    Iowa,    Kansas.    Missouri.    Nebraska,    New 
Mexico,  and  Oklahoma. 

V     Pacific  District. 
California,  Columbia  River,  Montana  and  Oregon. 

VI     FoKEiGX  District. 
China,    Japan,    Philippines,    West    Africa,    and    Porto 
Rico. 

^B.v   order   of   the   General   Conference    each    active   bishop    is 
r»M|uired  to  reside  within  the  bounds  of  his  own  district. 


185 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

Conferences  am)  Districts. 
Section  I 

DOMESTIC    CONFEKKNCES. 

The    boundaries    of    the    conferences    and    districts 
shall  be  as  follows: 

Allegheny. 

1.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Mercer 
County,  Pennsylvania:  thence  along  the  southern  line  of 
Mercer  and  Venango  counties  to  Clarion  County;  thence 
north  along  the  eastern  line  of  Venango  County  to  War- 
ren County;  thence  along  the  southern  line  of  Warren, 
McKean,  and  Potter  counties;  thence  north  along  the 
eastern  line  of  Potter  County  to  the  New  York  State  line; 
thence  along  the  State  line  between  New  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania to  the  north  branch  of  the  Susquehanna  River: 
thence  along  the  west  line  of  the  East  Pennsylvania 
and  Pennsylvania  conferences  to  the  State  of  Maryland: 
thence  along  the  south  line  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  State;  thence  along  the 
State  line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

California. 

2.  California  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of 
California. 

Colorado. 

3.  Colorado  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  States  of 
Colorado,  Wyoming,  and  Utah. 

ColmnMa  River. 

4.  Beginning  on  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State 
of  Washington;  thence  south  along  the  Cascade  Moun- 
tains to  the  Columbia  River;  thence  up  the  Columbia 
River  to  the  mouth  of  the  John  Day  River;  thence  south 
along  said  river  to  its  source;  thence  east  to  the  Oregon 
line,  including  all  the  territory  of  Washington  and  Ore- 
gon east  of  the  line  above  given,  and  also  the  State  of 
Idaho. 

186 


r().NFKKK.\(  KS    AM>     HISIHKT.S  18/ 

East  Ohio. 

5.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State  of 
Ohio;  thence  south  along  the  State  line  and  the  Ohio 
River  to  Marietta;  thence  up  the  Muskingum  River  to  a 
point  opposite  the  northwest  corner  of  Noble  County, 
Ohio;  then  due  east  to  said  northwest  corner  of  Noble 
County;  thence  north  along  the  east  line  of  Muskingum 
and  Guernsey  counties,  Ohio;  thence  west  along  the 
north  line  of  Muskingum  and  Licking  counties,  Ohio,  to 
the  eas't  line  of  Delaware  County,  Ohio;  thence  west  from 
this  point  to  Delaware,  Ohio;  thence  north  along  the 
eastern  boundary  of  Sandusky  Conference  to  Sandusky 
City,  Ohio;  thence  eastward  along  the  northern  boundary 
of  the  State  of  Ohio  to  the  place  of  beginning.  For  ex- 
ceptions, see  Sandusky  Conference. 

East    Pennsylvania. 

6.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  boundary  of  the  State 
of  New  Jersey  on  the  Atlantic  Coast;  thence  along  the 
said  boundary  line  and  the  Delaware  River  to  the  north- 
ern boundary  of  Pennsylvania;  thence  westward  along 
said  boundary  to  the  north  branch  of  the  Susquehanna 
River;  thence  along  said  river  to  the  junction  of  the 
north  and  w^est  branches  of  the  Susquehanna  River; 
thence  southward  along  the  east  shore  of  the  Susque- 
hanna River  and  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to  the  At- 
lantic Ocean;  thence  northward  along  the  Atlantic 
Coast  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Said  conference  shall 
be  the  legal  successor  of  Eastern  Conference  and  East 
Pennsylvania  Conference.  All  rights,  interests,  bequests, 
and  obligations  of  said  conferences  shall  inhere  in  the 
said  East  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

Erie, 

7.  Beginning  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  thence  south 
along  the  State  line  between  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  to 
the  southwest  corner  of  Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania: 
thence  east  with  the  line  as  described  in  the  bounding 
of  Allegheny  Conference  to  the  New  York  State  line,  and 
including  the  State  of  New  York  and  all  that  part  of 
Pennsylvania  embraced  within  the  above-described  lim- 
its; provided,  that  Orangeville  Circuit  be  included  in 
Erie  Conference. 


188  DiS(iiM,i.M: 

Florida. 
S.     Florida  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  States  of 
(leorgia  and  Florida. 

Illinois. 
9.  Illinois  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  and  becomes  the  legal  successor  to  the  Northern 
Illinois  and  Lower  Wabash  conferences,  as  constituted 
prior  to  their  union  under  an  enabling  act  passed  by  the 
General  Conference  of  1917. 

Indiana. 
TO.  Indiana  Conference  shall  embrace  all  the  terri- 
tory in  Indiana  south  of  the  following  line:  Beginning 
at  the  northwest  corner  of  Sullivan  County,  thence  due 
east  to  the  west  boundary  of  Bartholomew  County; 
thence  southeast  to  Columbus:  thence  eastward  by  way 
of  Big  Four  Railroad  to  Greensburg,  thence  southeast 
by  said  railroad  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Franklin 
County;  thence  east  along  said  county  line  to  the  Ohio 
State  line;  provided,  that  Lewis  church  in  Vigo  County, 
Briley  and  Middlebury  churches  in  Clay  County,  and 
Beech  in  Owen  County  shall  belong  to  Indiana  Confer- 
ence, and  Columbus  charge  shall  belong  to  White  River 
Conference.     See  also  Tennessee  Conference. 

loiva. 

11.  Iowa  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of  Iowa. 

Kajisas. 

12.  Kansas  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of 
Kansas. 

Miami. 

13.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami 
River;  thence  north  along  the  western  boundary  of  the 
State  of  Ohio,  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Darke  County. 
Ohio;  thence  eastward  along  the  Sandusky  Conference 
line  to  Sidney,  Ohio;  thence  to  the  east  line  of  Cham- 
paign County,  Ohio;  thence  southwest  along  the  east  line 
of  the  counties  of  Champaign,  Clark  and  Greene  to  the 
north  line  of  Clinton  County;  thence  west  on  the  north 
line  of  Clinton  County  to  the  northeast  corner  of  War- 
ren County;  thence  south  on  the  east  line  of  Warren 
County  to  the  north  line  of  Clermont  County;  thence 
west  on  the  north  line  of  Clermont  County  to  the  east 


CO.M-EKK.\(  K8    AM)     lUSTUlCTS  189 

line  of  Hamilton  County;  thence  south  on  the  east  line 
of  Hamilton  County  to  the  Ohio  River;  thence  down  the 
Ohio  River  to  the  place  of  beginning;  provided,  that  the 
cities  of  Newport  and  Covington,  in  the  State  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  Rockdale  Church,  in  the  State  of  Indiana, 
shall  belong  to  the  Miami  Conference. 

Michigan. 

14.  Michigan  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of 
Michigan. 

Minnesota. 

15.  Minnesota  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State 
of  Minnesota. 

Missouri. 

16.  Missouri  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of 
Missouri. 

Montana. 

17.  Montana  Conference  embraces  the  entire  State  of 
Montana,  and  that  part  of  North  Dakota  which  lies 
south  and  west  of  the  Missouri  River. 

Xebraska. 
IS.     Nebraska  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  States  of 
Nebraska  and  South  Dakota. 

Xew  Mexico. 

19.  New  Mexico  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State 
of  New  Mexico. 

Ohio  German. 

20.  Ohio  German  Conference  embraces  the  States  of 
Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  and  Illinois.  Permission  is 
also  granted  to  go  into  any  of  the  Western  States  or 
Territories,  where  doors  of  usefulness  may  be  open  to 
labor  among  the  German  population. 

Oklahoma. 

21.  Oklahoma  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  States 
of  Oklahoma,  and  Arkansas,  and  any  organized  work  in 
Texas. 

Oregon. 

22.  Oregon  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  States  of 
Oregon  and  Washington  not  occupied  by  the  Columbia 
River  Conference. 


190  |)IS(  II'I.I.NK 

Pcnihsylcania. 

23.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata  River: 
thence  along  said  river  westward  to  the  crest  of  the 
Tuscarora  Mountains;  thence  southward  along  the  crest 
of  said  mountains  to  the  State  of  Maryland;  thence  west- 
ward along  the  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  State  lines 
to  the  northwest  corner  of  Washington  County,  Mary- 
land; thence  southward  along  the  western  boundary  of 
said  county  to  the  Potomac  River;  thence  along  said 
river  to  the  Chesapeake  Bay;  thence  eastward  along  the 
coast  to  the  mouth  of  the  Susquehanna  River;  thence 
northward  along  said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

St.  Joseph. 

24.  St.  Joseph  Conference  embraces  all  territory  nonh 
of  the  following-described  line:  Beginning  at  the  south- 
west corner  of  Warren  County.  Indiana;  thence  east  on 
said  county  line  to  the  Wabash  River;  thence  up  said 
river  to  Tippecanoe  County  line;  thence  south  to  the 
Montgomery  County  line;  thence  east  on  said  county 
line  to  Hamilton  County;  thence  north  to  Howard 
County;  thence  east  on  Howard  County  line  to  Grant 
County;  thence  north  on  Grant  County  line  to  Wabash 
County;  thence  west  and  north  on  Wabash  County  line 
to  the  Wabash  River;  thence  along  the  Wabash  River  to 
the  Ohio  State  line;  provided,  that  Howard  Chapel  and 
Independence  shall  belong  to  White  River  Conference. 
It  hereby  becomes  legal  possessor  to  those  parts  of  the 
divided  Upper  Wabash  Conference  that  lie  within  these 
described  lines. 

Sajirlitski/. 

25.  Beginning  at  Sandusky,  Ohio;  thence  south  along 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  to  Shelby  Junction; 
thence  south  and  west  along  the  Big  Four  Railroad  to 
Delaware  and  Marysville,  Ohio;  thence  west  along  the 
south  line  of  Logan  County  to  Sidney,  Ohio;  thence  west 
on  a  straight  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Darke 
County,  Ohio;  thence  west  to  the  west  line  of  the  State 
of  Ohio;  thence  north  along  the  State  line  to  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  State  line  of  Ohio;  thence  east  to 
Sandusky,  Ohio,  the  place  of  beginning;  provided,  that 
Sidney,  Johnsville,  Belleville,  Cardington,  Gallon,  Shelby, 
and  Willard,  shall  belong  to  Sandusky  Conference,  and 
Ostrander  and  Union  shall  belong  to  Southeast  Ohio 
Conference. 


CONKKRKNCKS    AM)    DISTKICTS  191 

Southeast   Ohio. 

26.  Beginning  at  Delaware,  Ohio;  thence  along  the 
boundary  line  of  East  Ohio  Conference  in  a  southeasterly 
direction  to  Marietta,  Ohio;  thence  down  the  Ohio  River 
to  the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio;  thence  to_the 
northwest  corner  of  Clermont  County;  thence  along  the 
north  line  of  Clermont  County  to  the  east  line  of  War- 
ren County,  Ohio;  thence  northward  on  the  east  line  of 
the  counties  of  Warren,  Greene,  Clark  and  Champaign 
to  the  south  line  of  Sandusky  Conference;  thence  east- 
ward along  said  lino  to  Delaware,  Ohio,  the  place  of  be- 
ginning. 

Tennessee. 

27.  Tennessee  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State 
of  Tennessee,  that  portion  of  Alabama  contiguous  there- 
to, and  all  of  the  State  of  Kentucky,  except  that  portion 
along  the  Ohio  River  contiguous  to  the  State  of  Indiana 
and  now  being  operated  by  the  Indiana  Conference; 
provided,  that  the  cities  of  Newport  and  Covington  in 
Kentucky  shall  belong  to  Miami  Conference.  Tennessee 
Conference  shall  be  the  legal  successor  to  the  former 
East  Tennessee,  West  Tennessee,  and  Kentucky  Confer- 
ences. 

Virginia. 

28.  The  Virginia  Conference  embraces  the  State  of 
Virginia  except  the  counties  of  Lea,  Scott  and  Washing- 
ton; also  that  part  of  West  Virginia  lying  east  of  the 
west  boundary  lines  of  the  counties  of  Grant  and  Pendle- 
ton of  said  State;  also,  Allegheny  County,  Maryland,  and 
that  part  of  Garrett  County,  Maryland,  lying  east  of  the 
boundary  of  West  Virginia  Conference;  provided,  that 
Swanton  and  Bethlehem  churches  shall  belong  to  West 
Virginia  Conference. 

West  Virginia. 

29.  Beginning  with  the  summit  of  the  Allegheny 
Mountains  at  the  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
land; thence  along  the  summit  of  said  mountains  south- 
west to  the  Grant  County  line;  thence  along  the  west  line 
of  said  county  to  Pendleton  County;  thence  along  the 
west  line  of  said  county  to  the  Virginia  State  line;  thence 
along  the  State  line  to  the  Kentucky  State  line;  thence 
north  to  the  Ohio  River;   thence  with  said  river  to  the 


192  DISCUM.INK 

Pennsylvania  State  line;   thence  east  on  said  line  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

White  River. 
:;0.     White  River  Conference  embraces  all  the  territory 
in  the  State  of  Indiana   lying  between   Indiana  Confer- 
ence and  St.  Joseph  Conference,  as  defined  under  those 
heads.    For  exception  see  Miami  Conference. 

Wi,s<07isin. 
ol.     Wisconsin  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State 
of  Wisconsin. 

Skctiox   II. 

FOUKKiN     COXFKHK.VCES. 

China. 

The  China  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in 
Southern  China,  with  Canton  as  headquarters. 

Japan. 
The  Japan  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in 
the    central    portion    of    Japan,    with    Tokyo    as    head- 
quarters. 

Philippines. 
The  Philippine  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces 
the  territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions 
in  Union  Province  and  portions  of  adjacent  sub-provinces, 
Philippine  Islands. 

Porto   Rico. 

The  Porto  Rico  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces 
the  territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions 
in  the  Ponce  District,  Porto  Rico. 

West  Africa. 

The  West  Africa  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces 
the  territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions 
in  Sierra  Leone,  West  Africa. 


PART  VII 

Formulas  and  Forms 

CHAPTER  XXX 

Formulas. 

Section  I 

RECEI'TIOX    OF    MEMKERS. 

When  at  any  meetings  there  are  persons  who  desire  to 
unite  with  the  Church,  the  officiating  minister  shall 
call  the  applicajits  foncard  and  addj-ess  them  as  fol- 
lows : 

Dear  Friends:  Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves  for 
admission  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of 
God  you  have  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth 
and  have  been  made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation. 
The  privileges  you  seek  are  above  price,  and  the  duties 
enjoined  are  sacred.  It  is  proper  that  you  publicly  con- 
fess your  faith  and  avow  your  purpose  by  answering 
the  following  questions: 

(1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  Word  of  God, 
and  that  therein  only  is  revealed  the  way  of  salvation? 
If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

(2)  Do  you  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of 
God,  and  do  you  accept  him  as  your  personal  Savior? 
If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

(3)  Are  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodliness,  seek- 
ing to  lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  to  God  and  his 
cause?    If  so,  answer,  "I  am." 

(4)  Are  you  willing  to  be  governed  by  our  Church 
Discipline?    If  so,  answer,  "I  am." 

(5)  Will  you  study  prayerfully  to  know  your  duty  as 
a  Christian  steward,  and  will  you  contribute  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  gospel  as  God  prospers  you?  If  so,  answer, 
"I  will." 

(6)  Have  you  been  baptized? 

[If  the  answer  to  this  question  be  in  the  negative,  then 
the  applicant  shall  be  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as 
soon  as  practicable.] 

If  the  persons  answer  the  above  questions  in  the  af- 
firmative, and  no  lawful  objections  be  made  by  any  mem- 
ber, then  the  preacher  shall  give  his  right  hand  to  such 

193 


194  DIS*  II'I.INK 

persons  as  members  of  our  Church.  Then  the  members 
of  the  Church  icill  stand,  and  the  minister  will  repeat 
the  following  covenant: 

"Do  you,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  enter  into  a  covenant  with  this  ap- 
plicant [or  these  applicants]  for  membership,  and 
promise  to  watch  over,  instruct,  counsel,  and  cherish 
him  [or  her  or  them]  with  all  long-suffering,  gentleness, 
and  love?" 

The  mem.bers  will  then  answer,  "By  the  grace  of  God 
we  will."  The  hand  of  fellowship  may  be  extended  by 
the  members.  The  preacher  shall  then  register  the 
names  of  the  accepted  members  in  the  Church  record. 

Section  II 

HAPTISM    OF   ADULTS. 

Our  Lord  commanded  his  apostles,  saying  "Go  ye 
therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Spirit"  (Matt.  28:19).  On  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the 
multitude,  under  the  preaching  of  the  Word,  "were 
pricked  in  the  heart,  and  said  unto  Peter  and  to  the  rest 
of  the  apostles.  Men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do? 
Then  Peter  said  unto  them.  Repent,  and  be  baptized 
every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  for  the 
remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Spirit"  (Acts  2:37,  38). 

"Then  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  bap- 
tized; and  the  same  day  there  were  added  unto  them 
about  three  thousand  souls"  (Acts  2:41). 

Philip,  the  evangelist,  went  down  to  the  city  of  Sa- 
maria, and  preached  Christ  to  the  people.  And  "when 
they  believed  Philip  preaching  the  things  concerning 
the  kingdom  of  God,  and  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  they 
were  baptized,  both  men  and  women"  (Acts  8:12). 

Dearly  beloved,  it  has  pleased  God,  in  his  infinite 
mercy,  to  awaken  you  to  a  sense  of  your  guilt  and  danger, 
and  to  lead  you,  as  we  humbly  trust,  to  repentance  and 
faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  By  presenting  yourself 
for  this  holy  sacrament,  you  declare  your  purpose  to 
lead  a  new  life,  and  to  seek  an  inheritance  with  the 
righteous  in  the  "house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens." 

Do  you  now  solemnly  consecrate  yourself  to  Christ  and 
his  service;    and  wall  you  endeavor  henceforth   to  keep 


FUK.Ml  I.AS  195 

God's  holy  commandments  and  to  walk  in  the  same  all 
the  days  of  your  life?  If  so,  answer,  "I  will  endeavor 
so  to  do,  the  Lord  being  my  helper." 

The  minister  shall  then  baptize  the  candidate,  the  service 
to  be  concluded  with  a  short  prayer  and  beriediction. 

Sectiox  III 

BAPTISM   OF   CHILDREN. 

"And  they  brought  young  children  to  him,  that  he 
.should  touch  them:  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those 
that  brought  them.  But  when  Jesus  saw  it.  he  was 
much  displeased  and  said  unto  them.  Suffer  the  little 
children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not:  for 
of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily  I  say  unto  you, 
whosoever  shall  not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God  as  a 
little  child,  he  shall  not  enter  therein.  And  he  took  them 
up  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands  upon  them,  and  blessed 
them"   (Mark  10:13-16). 

In  presenting  this  child  for  baptism,  you  not  only 
signify  your  faith  in  the  Christian  religion,  of  which 
baptism  is  an  ordinance,  but  also  your  desire  that  he 
I  or  she]  may  early  know  and  follow  the  will  of  God, 
may  live  and  die  a  Christian,  and  attain  unto  everlasting 
life. 

In  order  to  do  this  it  will  be  your  duty,  as  parents  [or 
guardians]  to  teach  him  [or  her]  early  the  fear  of  the 
Lord;  to  watch  over  his  [or  her]  education,  that  he 
[or  she]  be  not  led  astray;  to  direct  his  [or  her]  youth- 
ful mind  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  his  [or  her]  feet  to 
the  sanctuary;  to  restrain  him  [or  her]  from  evil  asso- 
ciates and  habits;  and,  as  much  as  in  you  lies,  to  bring 
him  [or  her]  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
I^ord. 

Will  you  endeavor  so  to  do,  by  the  help  of  God?    If  so, 
answer,  "I  will." 
The  minister  shall  then  baptize  the  child,  repeating  the 

fnll  name  of  the  same,  saying: 

I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son.  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    Amen. 
-4  77  to  be  foUotced  by  a  short  prayer  by  the  minister. 

Section  IV 

liOLY   COMMl'NIOX. 

"He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men;  a  man  of  sor- 
rows, and  acquainted  with  grief:  and  we  hid  as  it  were 


196  DISCIPLINE 

our  faces  from  him;  he  was  despised,  and  we  esteemed 
him  not.  Surely  he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried 
our  sorrows;  yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten 
of  God,  and  afflicted.  But  he  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities;  the 
chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him;  and  with  his 
stripes  we  are  healed"   (Isa.  53:3-5). 

"And  when  the  hour  was  come,  he  sat  down  and  the 
twelve  apostles  with  him.  And  he  said  unto  them,  With 
desire  I  have  desired  to  eat  this  passover  with  you  before 
I  suffer:  for  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  any  more  eat 
thereof,  until  it  be  fulfilled  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  And 
he  took  the  cup,  and  gave  thanks,  and  said,  Take  this, 
and  divide  it  among  yourselves:  for  I  say  unto  you,  I 
will  not  drink  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine,  until  the  kingdom 
of  God  shall  come.  And  he  took  bread,  and  gave  thanks, 
and  brake  it,  and  gave  unto  them,  saying,  This  is  my 
body  which  is  given  for  you:  this  do  in  remembrance  of 
me.  Likewise  also  the  cup  after  supper,  saying,  This 
cup  is  the  new^  testament  in  my  blood,  which  is  shed 
for  you"  (Luke  22:14-20). 

"For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also  I  de- 
livered unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  the  same  night  in 
which  he  was  betrayed  took  bread:  and  when  he  had 
given  thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said,  Take,  eat:  this  Is  my 
body,  which  is  broken  for  you:  this  do  in  remembrance 
of  me.  After  the  same  manner  also  he  took  the  cup, 
when  he  had  supped,  saying.  This  cup  is  the  new  testa- 
ment in  my  blood:  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  re- 
membrance of  me.  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread, 
and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he 
come"  (I  Cor.  11:23-26). 

As  many  of  you  as  truly  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
are  now  invited  humbly  to  receive  these  elements  in 
memory  of  the  suffering  and  death  of  your  Lord  and 
Savior. 

Singing. 

Prayer. 

Adminisiration  of  the  elenicjits. 

Section  V 

Ordination  of  Elders. 

On  the  day  appointed  for  ordination  services  a  suitable 
sermon   shall   be   preached,    whenever    practicable.      The 


FOK.MILAW  197 

officiating  bishop   (or  elder,  in  the  absence  of  a  bishop) 
shall  call,  if  they  be  present,  one  or  more  elders  to  assist 
him  in  the  ceremonies  of  ordination. 
After  the  names  of  the  candidates  have  "been  read  aloud, 

the  bishop  (or  elder)  shall  addi'ess  them  as  follows: 

An  elder  "must  be  blameless,  as  the  steward  of  God; 
not  selfwilled,  not  soon  angry,  not  given  to  wine,  no 
striker,  not  given  to  filthy  lucre;  but  a  lover  of  hospi- 
tality, a  lover  of  good  men,  sober,  just,  holy,  temperate; 
holding  fast  the  faithful  word  as  he  hath  been  taught, 
that  he  may  be  able  by  sound  doctrine  both  to  exhort 
and  to  convince  the  gainsayers"  (Tit.  1:7-9). 

Are  you  assured  that  you  are  inwardly  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  take  upon  you  the  office  of  the  ministry 
to  serve  God  in  the  church  of  Christ  to  the  honor  and 
glory  of  his  holy  name?  If  so,  answer,  "I  am,  as  I  truly 
believe." 

Do  you  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Old  and  New 
Testaments?  If  so,  answer,  "I  do  believe  them." 

Will  you  apply  due  diligence  to  frame  and  fashion 
your  life  according  to  the  doctrines  of  Christ,  and  to 
make  yourself,  as  much  as  in  you  lies,  a  wholesome  ex- 
ample to  the  flock  of  Christ?  If  so,  answer,  "I  will,  the 
Lord  being  my  helper." 

Will  you  loyally  maintain  the  doctrines  and  polity  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  devote 
yourself  with  all  possible  zeal  and  faithfulness  to  the 
extension  of  the  Master's  kingdom  in  whatever  field  you 
may  be  assigned  from  time  to  time  in  the  ministerial 
service?  If  so,  answer,  'T  will  endeavor,  through  the 
grace  of  God,  to  do  so." 
Prayer  by  the  officiating  bisho}). 
After  the  prayer  the  bishop  and  elders  shall  lay  their 

haiids  upon  the  heads  of  each  of  them,  and  the  bishop 

shall  say: 

Take  thou  authority  to  execute  the  office  of  an  elder  in 
the  church  of  God,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    Amen. 
Hereupon  the  bishop  {or  elder)  shall  deliver  to  ea<:h  of 

them  the  Holy  Bible,  saying : 

Take  thou  authority  to  preach  the  Word  of  God,  and  to 
administer  the  ordinances  in  the  Church  of  Christ. 
Prayer  by  the  bishop  or  one  of  the  elders. 
After  the  prayer  the  bishop  shall  read  Luke  12:35-38. 


198  DISCIIM.INK 

"Let  your  loins  be  girded  about,  and  your  lights  burn- 
ing; and  ye  yourselves  like  unto  men  that  wait  for  their 
lord,  when  he  will  return  from  the  wedding;  that  when 
he  Cometh  and  knocketh,  they  may  open  unto  him  im- 
mediately. Blessed  are  those  servants  whom  the  lord 
when  he  cometh  shall  find  watching;  verily  I  say  unto 
you,  that  he  shall  gird  himself,  and  make  them  to  sit 
down  to  meat,  and  will  come  forth  and  serve  them.  And 
if  he  shall  come  in  the  second  watch,  or  come  in  the 
third  watch,  and  find  them  so,  blessed  are  those  serv- 
ants." 
The  following  benedict  ion   is  to  be  pronounced: 

The  peace  of  God  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.    Amen. 

Section    VI 

llOiMK  MISSION   CONSKCJSATIO.X    SERVICE. 

Deahly  Beloved:  You  have  been  appointed  as  mis- 
sionary to and  are  commissioned  to  carry 

the  bread  of  eternal  life  to  souls  who  will  perish  with- 
out it. 

Listen  to  the  Word  of  the  Lord:  "And  it  shall  come 
to  pass,  that  whosoever  shall  call  on  the  name  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  saved"  (Acts  2:21).  "How  then  shall  they 
call  on  him  in  whom  they  have  not  believed?  and  how 
shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard? 
and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher?  and  how 
shall  they  preach  except  they  be  sent?"  (Rom.  10:14,  15). 

The  Home  Missionary  Society,  under  divine  direction 
as  we  believe,  is  about  to  send  you  out  to  preach  the  liv- 
ing Word  to  perishing  souls. 

Question.  Have  you  a  deep,  abiding  love  for  souls,  and 
an  absorbing  interest  in  their  salvation?  and  have  you 
felt  especially  called  of  God  to  this  w^ork?  If  so,  answer, 
"I  have,  as  I  truly  believe." 

God's  Word  says:  "But  arise  and  stand  upon  thy 
feet:  for  I  have  appeared  unto  thee  for  this  purpose, 
to  make  thee  a  minister  and  a  w^itness  both  of  these 
things  which  thou  hast  seen,  and  of  those  things  in  the 
which  I  will  appear  unto  thee"  (Acts  26:16).  "Ye  shall 
be  witness  unto  me  both  in  Jerusalem,  and  in  all  Judea, 
and  in  Samaria,  and  unto  the  uttermost  part  of  the 
earth"  (Acts  1:8).  "To  open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn 
them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of 
Satan   unto  God,  that  they   may   receive   forgiveness  of 


KOHMl'LAS  199 

sins,  and  inheritance  among  them  which  are  sanctified 
by  faith  that  is  in  me"  (Acts  26:18). 

Question.  Are  you  willing  to  work  under  the  direction 
of  the  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  devoting  your  time  and  energy-  to  the  work  to 
which  you  are  appointed?  If  so,  answer,  "I  am,  the 
Lord  being  my  helper." 

It  is  God's  will  "that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins 
should  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  be- 
ginning at  Jerusalem.  And  ye  are  witnesses  of  these 
things"  (Luke  24:47,  48). 

Question.  Do  you  then  publicly  dedicate  yourself  to 
this  work  of  God?    If  so,  answer,  "I  do," 

"Lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world." 

TKOVISIONAL    I'UOURAM. 

(To  be  used  in  connection  with  above  service.) 

1.  Song. 

2.  Scripture.     II  Timothy  4:1-8. 

3.  Song. 

4.  Explanatory  Remarks. 

5.  Remarks  by  Candidates. 

6.  Song. 

7.  Charge  to  Candidates. 

S.  Reading  of  Consecration  Service. 

9.  Consecratory  Prayer. 

10.  Song, 

n.  Benediction. 

Section  VII 

FOREIGX    MLSSTOX   CONSECRATION    SERVICE. 

The  representative  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  shall 

then  address  the  candidates  as  follows: 

'And  Jesus  came  and  spake  unto  them,  saying.  All 
power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye 
therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost;  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever 
I  have  commanded  you;  and,  lo,  I  am  with  you  always, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world"  (Matt.  28:18-20). 

You  have  listened  to  the  command  which  Christ  gave 
to  his  first  disciples  and  which  constitutes  his  church  a 
missionary  church  in  all  ages.  You  believe  that  this 
command  applies  to  all   followers  of  Christ  todav.   and 


200  1)I.S(  IIM.INK 

that  it  is  incumbent  upon  them,  in  so  far  as  may  be  pos- 
sible, to  devote  their  lives  to  the  extension  of  his  king- 
dom in  the  earth.  Earnestly  seeking  to  obey  this  com- 
mand, you  are  convinced  that  it  is  your  duty  and  privi- 
lege to  engage  in  the  service  of  Christ  in  a  foreign  land. 
You  have  heard  the  call  of  God  sounding  in  the  depths 
of  your  own  soul,  summoning  you  to  this  high  endeavor. 
You  have  found  this  call  confirmed  by  the  circumstances 
of  your  life  and  the  judgment  of  the  board  of  Foreign 
Missions.  In  recognition  of  these  facts,  and  following 
as  we  believe,  the  leadership  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  de- 
sire to  set  you  apart  to  the  work  of  a  foreign  missionary, 
to  witness  for  Christ  in  non-Christian  lands,  and  to  be- 
stow upon  you  the  commission  of  the  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Society. 

Question.  Have  you  a  deep  love  for  souls,  and  a 
strong  passion  for  their  salvation,  and  have  you  felt 
especially  called  of  God  to  missionary  work?  If  so, 
answer,  "I  have,  as  I  truly  believe." 

Question.  Do  you  give  yourself  unreservedly  to  the 
work  of  Christ  in  the  land  to  which  you  have  been  as- 
signed, in  humble  reliance  upon  divine  help,  and  do  you 
make  it  the  purpose  of  your  life  to  walk  with  Christ  as 
his  missionary,  faithful  in  word  and  deed,  and  in  hearty 
cooperation  with  your  fellow-workers,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  this  board?    If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

I,  then,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  bestowed  upon  me 
by  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  present  you  with  this  commission: 

The  Foreign  Missionary  S(K'Ip:ty  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Dayton,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 
To  All  to  Whom  This  Shall  Come,  Christian  Greetings. 

This  certifies  that 

is  appointed  a  missionary  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 

our  Lord,  to ,  under  the  direction 

and  regulations  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
United    Brethren    in    Christ,   and    is   entitled    to   all    the 
rights  and  privileges  attaching  to  that  office. 
Given  this day  of 19 ...  . 


President  of  Board. 

Chairman  of  Executive  Committee. 

General  Secretary. 


FOKMULAS  201 

"Go  ye   into  all   the   world   and   preach   the   gospel   to 
every  creature." 

PROVISIONAL    PRO(iKAM. 

(To  be  used  In  connection  with  above  service.) 

1.  Song. 

2.  Scripture    lesson.      Romans    10:12-15;     Acts    26: 
lC-20,  and  13:47-49. 

3.  Prayer. 

4.  Song. 

5.  Introductory  Words. 

6.  Remarks  by  Candidates. 

7.  Song. 

8.  Charge  to  the  Candidates. 

9.  Consecration  Service. 

10.  Prayer  of  Consecration. 

11.  Song. 

12.  Benediction. 


Section  VIII 

CONSECRATION  OF  A  DEACONESS. 

After  suitable  introductory  service  has  been  held,  the 
officiating  bishop  (or  elder,  in  the  absence  of  the  bishop) 
may  call  other  elders,  if  they  be  present,  to  assist  in  the 
consecration  service. 
To  he  read  by  the  officiating  bishop: 

In  response  to  the  will  of  God,  who  called  Phoebe  and 
Dorcas  into  the  services  of  the  church,  you  present  your- 
self for  ordination  to  the  office  of  deaconess  in  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  The  work  of  a 
deaconess  is  a  high  and  holy  calling,  requiring  unselfish 
and  sacrificial  labor.  Like  our  gracious  Master,  you  are 
to  go  about  doing  good,  ministering  to  the  wants  of  a 
suffering,  sorrowing,  and  sin-laden  world.  You  are  to 
minister  to  the  poor,  visit  the  sick,  pray  with  the  dying, 
care  for  the  orphan,  seek  the  wandering,  comfort  the 
sorrowing,  and  save  the  sinning.  Such  service  confers 
a  high  honor,  but  also  lays  upon  you  a  great  responsi- 
bility. The  church  now  solemnly  sets  you  apart  for  this 
special  service. 
The  following  questions  should  be  asked: 

Do  you  believe  that  you  have  been  led  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  assume  the  duties  of  a  deaconess  in  the  church? 
If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 


202  DISCII'I.IXR 

Do  you,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  of  this  congrega- 
tion, promise  faithfully  to  perform  the  duties  of  a 
deaconess?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  fully  accept  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the  Word 
of  God?    If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Will    you    accept    the    direction    of    those    whom    the 
Church   may   set   over   you   in   the   prosecution   of   your 
work?    If  so,  answer,  "I  will." 
Prayer  of  coyisecration,  the  candidate  kneeling. 
After  the  prayer,  the  consecrator  shall  place  his  right 
hand  on  the  head  of  the  candidate  and  shall  say: 

Take  thou  authority  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  dea- 
coness in  the  church  of  God,  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    Amen. 
Delivery  of  certificate,  deaconess  standing. 
Song,  "Take  my  life  and  let  it  bc,'^  or  other  suitahle  song. 
Benedictory  prayer. 


Section  IX 

LAYING    CORNER-STONE. 

The  following  order  of  service  may  he  observed: 

1.  Singing. 

2.  Reading  of  Scripture.     (Ps.  132;   I  Cor.  3:8-23.) 

3.  Prayer. 
Jf.     Singing. 

').     Sermon  or  address. 
C).     Collection. 
7.     Laying  of  stone. 
The  minister,  standing  hy   the  stone,  shall  exhibit  the 
box  to  be  deposited,  and  read  the  list  of  contents.   Then 
the  minister,  assisted  by  the  builder,  shall  deposit  the 
box  and  adjust  the  stone   to  its  resting  place.     This 
done  the  officiating  minister  shall  say: 
Beloved:     In  ancient  time  God  commanded  his  servant 
Moses  to  set  up  the  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  and  be- 
stowed his  blessing  upon  Solomon,  the  king,  in  erecting 
the  temple  in  Jerusalem,  whither  the  tribes  came  up  to 
worship.     In  like  manner  he  has  moved  your  hearts  to 
erect  a  sanctuary,  where,  in   years  to   come,  his   people 
may  assemble   for   prayer   and    praise.     As   this   corner- 
stone is  placed  in   position,  the  stone  upon   which  this 
temple  shall  rest,  may  our  own  lives  be  built  more  se- 
curely upon  Jesus  Christ,  the  chief  corner-stone. 


FOHMILAS  203 

In  repcdtiny  the  following  scntoice  the  minister  shall 
strike  the  stone  after  the  ivords  '"Father,"'  ''So7i.''  and 
''Holy  Spirit,"  the  trustees  and  other  church  officials 
responding  '*Anie7i"  after  every  stroke.  Trustees  and 
officials  shall  join  the  minister  in  the  final  "Amen 
and  Amen." 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  we  lay  this  corner-stone  in  the  foundation 
of  a  house  to  be  erected  and  dedicated  for  the  worship 
of  God,  wherein  his  word  shall  be  preached  and  his  wor- 
ship maintained.  Amen  and  Amen. 
N.  Doxology. 
!K     Benediction  hy  the  pastor. 

Si:cTiox  X 

CUrUC  H  DEDICATIOX. 

The  folloicing  order  of  service  may  be  used: 

1.  Scripture  Reading.  (Ps.  84;  or,  Isa.  02  and  Ps. 
122.) 

2.  Singing. 

3.  Prayer. 
'/.     Singing. 
■'>.     Sermon. 

6.  Offering. 

7.  Singing. 

S.     Scripture  reading,  with  congregation  standing. 

"But  will  God  indeed  dwell  on  the  earth?  behold,  the 
heaven,  and  heaven  of  heavens,  cannot  contain  thee; 
how  much  less  this  house  that  I  have  builded?  Yet  have 
thou  respect  unto  the  prayer  cf  thy  servant,  and  to  his 
supplication,  0  Lord  my  God,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry 
and  unto  the  prayer  which  thy  servant  prayeth  before 
thee  today:  that  thine  eyes  may  be  opened  toward  this 
house  night  and  day,  even  toward  the  place  of  which 
thou  hast  said.  My  name  shall  be  there:  that  thou  mayest 
hearken  unto  the  prayer  which  thy  servant  shall  make 
toward  this  place.  And  hearken  thou  to  the  supplication 
of  thy  servant,  and  of  thy  people  Israel,  when  they  shall 
pray  toward  this  place:  and  hear  thou  in  heaven  thy 
dwelling  place:   and  when  thou  hearest,  forgive." 

"For  the  Lord  hath  chosen  Zion;  he  hath  desired  it  for 
his  habitation.  This  is  my  rest  forever:  here  will  I 
dwell;  for  I  have  desired  it.  I  will  abundantly  bless  her 
provision;  I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread.    I  will  also 


U04  i)is(  ifi,i>;r 

clothe  her  priests  with  salvation:  and  her  saints  shall 
shout  aloiul  for  joy"  ( Ps.  132:13-16). 

"Now,  my  God  let,  I  beseech  thee,  thin«  eyes  be  open, 
and  let  thine  ears  be  attent  unto  the  prayer  that  is  made 
in  this  place.  Now  therefore  arise,  O  Lord  God,  into  thy 
resting  place,  thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength:  let  thy 
priests,  O  Lord  God,  be  clothed  with  salvation,  and  let 
thy  saints  rejoice  in  goodness"   (II  Chron.  6:40,  41). 

"Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting:  and  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen.  Praise  ye 
the  Lord"   (Ps.  10€:48). 

!).  Address  to  the  trustees  at  the  dedication  of  a 
church,  the  trustees  standing  in  front  of  the  altar. 

Brethren' :  You  have  been  selected  by  the  church  to 
hold  the  honorable  and  responsible  place  of  trustees  of 
this  house  of  worship,  to  be  dedicated  to  the  service  of 
Almighty  God.  In  this  office  you  represent  the  church, 
and  will  act  on  its  behalf  and  for  its  welfare,  but  in  no 
sense  forget  the  interests  of  the  community  which  are 
identified  with  the  house  of  God. 

The  house  of  God  is  sacred;  it  is  God's  holy  temple, 
where  he  is  to  be  worshiped  in  the  beauty  of  holiness 
and  love;  therefore,  do  nothing  in  vainglory,  but  by  love 
serve  one  another.  Nothing  should  enter  this  sacred 
place  that  will  defile  the  temple  of  God;  but  at  the  same 
time  let  it  ever  be  remembered  that  all  works  of  justice, 
of  mercy,  of  love,  of  helpfulness  of  whatsoever  kind  are 
proper  in  the  house  of  God. 

By  your  official  relation  you  are  vitally  interested  in 
this  temple.  Protect  it  at  all  times:  preserve  it  for  con- 
stant service;  improve  it  as  needs  arise.  As  assistants  of 
the  pastor,  help  him  to  make  this  a  holy  place.  As  rep- 
resentatives of  the  church  in  the  community,  win  men  to 
it,  and  through  it  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

In  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity  I  now  give  this  key  to 
the  president  of  the  board  as  the  symbol  of  your  author- 
ity, to  hold  this  property  in  trust  for  God  and  the  Church 
of  the  ITnited  Brethren  in  Christ.  I  pray  that  Christian 
faith  and  hope  and  love  may  dwell  in  your  hearts,  and 
that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  be  your  guide  and  comforter, 

10.     Dedicatory  Prayer. 

And  now,  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  w^e  give  this  house 
to  thee.  As  thy  people  have  builded  it  for  thy  worship 
and  glory,  we  pray  that  thou  will  accept  it  in  the  name 
of  thy  Son  our  Savior,  and  manifest  thyself  approvingly 


FOKMFLAS  205 

to  all  who  have  given  to  this  work  a  sincere  desire  to 
honor  thee  and  to  save  men.  As  thou  didst  dwell  in  the 
temple  at  Jerusalem,  so  make  this  thy  resting  place. 
Show  forth  thy  power  and  glory  here  from  time  to  time 
in  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  in  the  edification  of  thy 
people.  When  thy  servants  preach  the  word  in  this 
house,  be  thou  in  them,  and  accompany  the  truth  by  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  to  the  hearts  of  all  who  shall  hear.  And 
when  thy  people  meet  in  this  place  for  prayer  and  praise, 
reveal  thyself  graciously  to  their  faith,  and  vouchsafe 
unto  them  the  joys  of  thy  great  salvation.  Preserve  this 
house,  we  beseech  thee,  from  fire  and  storm,  and  make  it 
a  very  great  blessing  to  as  many  as  shall  worship  before 
thine  altar.  May  the  people  remember  that  this  is  thy 
house — the  place  where  thy  honor  dwelleth — and  ap- 
proach it  with  reverence  and  gladness.  And  not  only 
accept  this  house,  but  accept  also  our  hearts  as  we  dedi- 
cate them  anew  to  thee.  Cleanse  them  and  make  them 
fit  temples  for  the  indwelling  of  thy  Spirit.  Accept,  we 
pray  thee,  all  we  bring  in  this  hour  of  consecration,  seal- 
ing it  with  thine  own  approval.  And  at  last  gather  us 
all  into  that  eternal  temple  not  made  with  hands,  and 
thy  name,  O  God  the  Father  V'Amen,"'  responded  &i/ 
trustees],  and  thy  name,  0  Christ  the  Son  [''Amen.*'  re- 
sponded hy  trustees],  and  thy  name,  O  Holy  Spirit 
Y'Amen,''  responded  by  trustees],  shall  have  all  the 
praise  evermore.  Amen  and  Amen,  [repeated  together 
hy  officiating  minister  and  trustees].  Let  all  the  people 
say.  Amen   [''Amen."  responded  hy  the  people]. 

II.     Doxology. 

l.i.     Benediction  hy  the  pastor. 

Section  XI 
Parsonage  Dedication. 
Charge  to  the  Trustees. 

The  Scriptures  clearly  teach  that  as  Aaron  was  di- 
vinely appointed  to  the  priesthood,  even  so  today  men 
are  called  to  the  ministry  for  the  purpose  of  preaching 
the  Word  and  otherwise  giving  aid  and  comfort  to  the 
spiritually  needy.  In  the  same  divine  program  it  is  also 
ordained  that  those  who  "preach  the  gospel  shall  live  of 
the  gospel."  In  Second  Kings,  fourth  chapter,  we  read 
that  after  frequent  visits  by  the  prophet  Elisha  to 
Shunem,  a  great  woman  and  her  husband,  in  recognition 


20G  DISCII'LINE 

of  his  exalted  character  and  special  blessing  to  their 
home,  erected  for  his  sole  use  a  little  chamber,  and  fur- 
nished it  with  a  bed,  a  table,  a  seat,  and  a  candlestick. 
Here  the  man  of  God  was  to  tarry  at  times  for  rest  and 
meditation. 

Likewise,  providing  a  home  for  the  pastor  is  a  recog- 
nition of  his  high  office  and  great  value  to  the  church, 
and  by  so  much  is  a  wise  provision  contributing  to  his 
temporal  support.  This  house,  about  to  be  consecrated 
as  a  pastor's  home,  has  been  made  possible  by  the  gen- 
erous gifts  of  those  who  are  interested  in  the  ministry 
and  church  you  represent. 

You  have  been  appointed  by  the  church  to  the  respon- 
sible office  of  trustees  of  this  manse,  and  in  such  capacity 
you  are  to  represent  the  church  and  act  on  its  behalf 
whenever  your  services  are  required.  Remember,  how- 
ever, that  in  a  very  important  sense  the  entire  com- 
munity has  an  interest  in  it,  and  should  be  led  to  recog- 
nize its  real  value  to  the  religious  and  social  betterment 
of  the  same.  It  is  your  duty  to  properly  care  for  this 
building,  keeping  it  in  good  repair,  and  so  beautifying 
the  grounds  as  to  make  the  property  attractive  to  the 
general  public,  ever  keeping  in  mind  that  it  is  God's 
house,  to  be  used  for  his  glory. 

Beloved,  by  the  direction  of  the  quarterly  conference, 
and  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  I  now  give  this  key 
to  the  president  of  the  board,  as  a  symbol  of  your  author- 
ity to  hold  this  parsonage  in  trust  for  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ.  May  you  cheerfully  perform 
the  duties  which  devolve  upon  you,  ever  looking  to  the 
Spirit  of  promise  for  direction  and  help.    Amen. 

(Note — Where  the  conditions  warrant,  the  impressive- 
ness  of  the  occasion  may  be  intensified  by  the  bishop 
delivering  the  key  to  the  conference  superintendent,  he 
in  turn  to  the  pastor,  and  the  pastor  to  the  chairman  of 
the  board,  each  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity.) 
Dedicatory  Prayer. 

And  now,  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  we  give  this  house 
to  thee,  praying  that  what  the  people  have  builded  for  thy 
glory,  may  be  accepted  of  thee  in  the  name  of  thy  Son, 
our  Savior.  Graciously  manifest  thyself  to  all  who  have 
contributed  to  this  work  with  a  sincere  desire  to  glorify 
thee  in  the  furtherance  of  thy  cause. 

When  thy  servants  who  shall  dwell  in  this  place, 
preach  the  Word,  blessedly  reveal  thy  presence  in  making 


FORM  r LAS  207 

the  message  they  bring  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation 
to  as  many  as  believe.  Preserve  this  house,  we  beseech 
thee,  from  fire  and  storm,  and  make  it  a  continued 
blessing  to  the  entire  pastoral  charge.  And  not  only  ac- 
cept this  home  provided  for  thy  servants,  but  accept 
anew  the  devotion  o  f  our  hearts,  and  dwell  thou  in  them 
according  to  thy  promise.  And  at  last  home  us  with  the 
saved  in  "Father's  house,"  and  unto  the  triune  God, 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit,  blessed  and  glorious,  we 
will  give  the  praise  ever  more.    Amen. 

Section  XII 

MARRIAGE    CEREMONY, 

The  minister  shall  say: 

We  are  gathered  together  in  the  sight  of  God  and  in  the 
presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  join  together  N.  and  M.  as 
husband  and  wife.  The  institution  of  marriage  is  coeval 
with  the  family  of  man.  God  saw  that  it  was  not  good 
for  man  to  be  alone  even  in  paradise  and  formed  and 
gave  to  him  woman,  that  she  might  be  a  "help  meet  for 
him."  This  union,  like  that  of  the  body  and  soul,  is  only 
to  be  severed  by  the  hand  of  death. 
Here  the  minister  may  say: 

If  any   person   knows  any  just   cause   or   impediment 
why  these  persons  should  not  be  joined  in  marriage,  let 
the  same  now  speak  or  forever  keep  silent. 
Ko  impediment  being  alleged,  the  minister,  addressing 

the  persons  to  he  married,  shall  further  say: 

Deeming  it  sufficient  to  refer  you  to  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures concerning  the  duties  you  will  owe  henceforth  to 
each   other,   I   will   receive   your   mutual   plighted   faith, 
and  seal  your  marriage  vows. 
To  the  man: 

Will  you  have  this  woman  to  be  your  wedded  wife,  to 
live  with  her  after  God's  ordinance;  will  you  love, 
honor,  comfort,  and  cherish  her,  in  health  and  in  sick- 
ness, in  prosperity  and  adversity,  and  forsaking  all 
others,  keep  yourself  to  her  only,  so  long  as  you  both 
shall  live?  If  so,  answer,  "I  will." 
To  the  woman: 

Will  you  have  this  man  to  be  your  wedded  husband, 
to  live  with  him  after  God's  ordinance;  will  you  love, 
honor,  comfort,  and  cherish  him,  in  health  and  in  sick- 
o«»ss,    in    prosperity    and    adversity,    and    forsaking    all 


208  DiscimxK 

others,  keep  yourself  unto  him  only,  so  long  as  you  both 
shall  live?    If  so,  answer,  "I  will." 

The  minister  shall  then  join  their  right  hands,  and  plac- 
ing his  right  hand  upon  theirs,  shall  say: 
Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put 
asunder.  Inasmuch  as  you  have  consented  together  in 
marriage,  and  have  declared  the  same  before  God  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  I  pronounce  you  husband 
and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 

The  mitiister  may  then  offer  a  hrief  prayer,  to  he  followed 
hy  this  henediction: 

May  God,  the  gracious  Father,  bless,  preserve,  and 
keep  you;  the  Lord,  mercifully,  with  his  favor,  look  upon 
you,  and  fill  you  with  all  spiritual  blessings  and  grace, 
and  may  you  so  live  together  in  this  life  that  in  the 
world  to  come  you  may  have  everlasting  life.    Amen. 

Section  XIII 

MARRIAGE    CEREMONY    WITH    RING. 

The  minister  shall  say: 

Dearly  beloved,  we  are  here  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  unite  together  these 
two  persons  in  holy  marriage.  They  have  passed  satis- 
factorily the  tests  and  requirements  of  the  family,  of  the 
State,  and  of  the  church,  and  now  stand  unchallenged  in 
this  presence  to  be  admitted  into  the  holy  estate  com- 
manded by  the  Word  of  God,  to  be  had  in  honor  among 
all  men. 

It  is  becoming  that  this  marriage  relation  be  entered 
into  discreetly,  reverently,  advisedly,  soberly,  and  in  the 
fear  of  God.  I,  therefore,  a  minister  of  the  blessed  gospel, 
entreat  you  both  to  seek  the  help  of  God  in  this  moment 
and  in  all  your  privileges  and  duties,  that  his  love  and 
grace  may  make  your  union  fruitful  of  comfort  and  use- 
fulness, and  a  furtherance  of  your  salvation  and  everlast- 
ing life. 
To  the  man : 

Do  you  take  this  woman  before  God  and  these  wit- 
nesses to  be  your  wife?    If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love  and  honor  her,  defend,  support, 
and  comfort  her,  in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  in  health  and  in 
sickness,  in  prosperity  and  adversity?  If  so,  answer,  "I 
do." 


Fon:\rT'LAS  209 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  her  in  all  things,  and  endeavor 
to  be  a  good  husband  to  her  so  long  as  you  both  shall 
live?    If  so,  answer,  "I  will." 
To  the  ivoman: 

Do  you  take  this  raan,  before  God  and  these  witnesses, 
to  be  your  husband?    If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love,  honor,  and  comfort  him,  in  joy 
and  in  sorrow,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in  prosperity 
and  adversity?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  him  in  all  things,  and  endeavor 
to  be  a  good  wife  to  him  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live*!* 
If  so,  answer,  "I  will." 
The  minister  shall  say  to  the  man: 

What  token  and  pledge  do  you  offer  that  you  will  faith- 
fully perform  these  covenant  vows? 
The  man  shows  the  ring,  holding  it  in  his  right  hand, 

and  answer's: 

This  ring. 
The  minister  shall  saij  to  the  woman: 

Do  you  accept  this  ring  in  token  of  the  same  covenant 
upon  your  part?    If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 
Then  the  man,  the  minister  guiding  his  right  hand,  shall 

plaee  the  ring  on  the  third  finger  of  her  left  hand,  and 

the  minister  shall  say: 

Let  us  pray. 
He  may  offer  an  extempore  prayer,  or  use  the  following: 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  thou  hast  recorded 
the  promises  of  these  thy  servants  now  made  to  each 
other.  We  entreat  thee  to  unite  their  hearts  and  lives  in 
the  bond  of  a  true  and  abiding  affection,  that  they  may 
share  all  the  blessings  of  a  happy  marriage.  May  their 
lives  be  preserved  from  evil,  and  their  love  know  no 
doubt,  but  grow  in  purity  and  sweetness  with  the  num- 
ber of  their  years.  Bestow  upon  them  the  Holy  Spirit 
and  true  heavenly  wisdom,  that  they  may  be  preserved 
from  all  things  which  might  destroy  the  happiness  of 
this  holy  estate.  Enable  them  by  thy  grace  to  live 
together  according  to  thy  holy  will,  and  may  they  at 
last  enter  into  eternal  life  and  fellowship  with  thy 
saints  in  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 
Then  shall  the  minister  request  them  to  join  their  right 

hands;  the  minister,  laying  his  right  hand  upon  theirs, 

sJiall  say  to  them: 

Inasmuch  as  you  have  covenanted  together  in  these 
sacred  bonds,  and  have  witnessed  the  same  by  this  token, 


210  nisriPUXE 

I  pronounce  you  husband  and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    Amen. 

What  therefore  God  hath  joined  together  let  no  man 
put  asunder. 

"The  Lord  bless  thee,  and  keep  thee:  the  Lord  make 
his  face  to  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee: 
the  Lord  lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give 
thee  peace."    Amen. 

Section  XIV 

BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 

After  the  casket  is  loioered  into  the  grave,  the  minister 
shall  repeat  the  folloiving: 

"Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days  and  full 
of  trouble.  He  cometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut 
down:  he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and  continueth  not." 
"Lord,  make  me  to  know  mine  end,  and  the  measure  of 
my  days,  what  it  is;  that  I  may  know  how  frail  I  am." 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death;  unto  whom  should 
we  seek  for  succor  but  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  wiio  for  our 
sins  are  justly  displeased?  Our  hope  is  in  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hath  said,  "I  am  the  resurrection  and  the 
life:  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet 
shall  he  live:  and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me 
shall  never  die."  "For  we  know  that  if  our  earthly 
house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  build- 
ing of  God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens." 

"And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto  me. 
Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from 
henceforth:  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest 
from  their  labors;  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

"There  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor 
crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain:  for  the 
former  things  are  passed  away." 

Inasmuch  as  the  soul  of  our  brother  [or  sister]  has 
passed  out  of  time  into  eternity,  we  commit  his  [or  her] 
body  to  the  ground,  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust 
to  dust,  in  the  confident  hope  of  the  resurrection  of  the 
just  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Benediction. 

Section  XV 
lord's  prayer — apostles'  creed. 
In  case  the  Lord's  Prayer  or  Apostles'  Creed  be  used 
in  any  of  our  services,  the  following  forms  may  be  used: 


tOKMlLAS  211 

The  Lord's  Prayer. 
Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy 
name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth, 
as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 
And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors. 
And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil: 
For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory, 
for  ever.    Amen. 

The  Apostles'  Creed. 

I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  maker  of 
heaven  and  earth. 

And  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son  our  Lord;  who  was 
conceived  by  the  Holy  Spirit;  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary; 
suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate;  was  crucified,  dead,  and 
buried;  he  descended  into  hades;  the  third  day  he  arose 
from  the  dead;  he  ascended  into  heaven;  and  sitteth  on 
the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty;  from  thence 
he  shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

I  believe  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  holy  catholic  church; 
the  communion  of  saints;  the  forgiveness  of  sins;  the 
resurrection  of  the  body;  and  the  life  everlasting.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

Forms. 

Section  I 

CEKTIFICATES. 

/.     Transfer  of  Members. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  a  member  in  good 

and    regular    standing    in    the    Church    of    the    United 

Brethren    in   Christ,   at  and   at   his    (or   her) 

request  is  hereby  transferred  to  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  at in  the  confer- 
ence; membership  in  the  above  church  to  cease  when 
the  accompanying  certificate,  properly  filled  and  dated, 
is  returned  to  this  church. 

Given  by  vote  of  the  

Date  Pastor. 

Transfer  Aeknoivledged. 
This  is  to  certify  that was  received  into  mem- 
bership of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 

at in  the  conference,  19 , 

thereby   terminating  his    (or   her)    membership    in   the 

church  at in  the  conference. 

Date  Pastor. 

2.     Certificate  of  Recommendation. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  a  member  in  good 

standing  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
at  ,  and   is  hereby  recommended   to  the  confi- 
dence and  fellowship  of  Christians  everywhere. 
Date  — Pastor. 

S.     Certificate  of  Withdraival. 

This  is  to  certify  that has  been   until  this 

date  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ^at  ■ 

and  at  his   (or  her)   request  is  granted  this  letter 

of  honorable  withdrawal  from  the  Church  by  a  vote  of 

the . 

Date  Pastor. 

212 


FORMS  2io 

Sectiox  II 

LICENSES. 

'/,     Lily   Preacher's   License. 

The  bearer  hereof,  ,  having  been  duly  recom- 
mended for  license  as  a  lay  preacher  in  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  hereby  authorized  to 
preach  the  gospel  according  to  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  said  Church. 

Given  at  a  quarterly  conference  held  on charge, 

annual  conference,   this  day  of in 

the  year  of  our  Lord . 

Void  unless  renewed  annually. 
Date  —  Conf.   Supt. 

■').     License   for   Quarterly-Confer eiice   Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  an  approved  preacher 

of  the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conform- 
able with  the  gospel  of  Christ,  as  held  by  this  Church. 
Given  at  a  quarterly  conference,  held  on  charge, 

annual  conference,  this  day  of  in 

the  year  of  our  Lord  .  Void  unless  renewed  an- 
nually. 

Date  Conf.   Supt. 

Ij.     Permanent    License    for    Quarterly-Conference 
Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that has  completed  the  course 

of  study  required,  and  is  hereby  granted  a  permanent 

license    as    a    quarterly-conference    preacher    by    

charge,  annual  conference,  in  the  Church  of  the 

United  Brethren  in  Christ,  so  long  as  his  conduct  and 
doctrine  are  conformable  with  the  gospel  of  Christ  as 
held  by  this  Church. 
Date  —  Conf.    Supt. 

7.       Annual-Conference  Preacher's  License. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  an  approved  preacher 

of  the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  so  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conform- 
able with  the  gospel  of  Christ  as  held  by  said  Church. 

Given  at  the ; —  annual  conference,  held  in  , 

this day  of in  the  year  of  our  Lord . 

Signed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 
Date Bishop. 


214  iiis(  iim.i.m; 

(The  obverse  skJc  of  tJhi.s  license  shdll  contain  three 
1>lank  transfers  and  one  blank  disniissal  after  the  follow- 
ing forms: ) 

Transfer. 
This  is  to  certify  that is  by  vote  of con- 
ference transferred  to  conference  of  the  Church 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Bishop. 

Date Secretary 

Disviissal. 

This  is  to  certify  that  has  been  on  this  date 

honorably  dismissed  from  the  ministry  and  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  by  vote  of  the  an- 
nual conference. 

Bishop. 

Date Secretary 

<S.     Elder's  License. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  an  approved  preacher 

of  the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conform- 
able with  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  has  been  ordained  to 
the  ofRce  of  elder  by  the  laying  on  of  hands. 

Given  at  the  — — —  annual  conference,  held  in  , 

this day  of in  the  year  of  our  Lord . 

Signed  and  sealed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 
Date Bishop. 

9.     Preacher's  Certifieate  of  Reception  from  Another 
Denomiiiation. 

This  is  to  certify  that  has  been  admitted  into 

conference  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 


in  Christ,  he  having  been   ordained  to  the  office  of  an 

elder  according  to  the  usages  of  the  Church,  of 

^vhich  he  has  been  a  member  and  minister,  and  he  is 
hereby  authorized  to  exercise  the  functions  pertaining 
to  his  office  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  so  long  as  his  conduct  and  teaching  are  conform- 
able v^'ith  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  the  government  of 
the  Church. 

Given  at  this day  cf  — in  the  year 

of  our  Lord  — ■ . 

Date Bishop. 


215 


10.     Transfer  of  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  a  — — —  of  the  Church 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  of  conference, 

and  is  hereby  transferred  to  conference  of  said 

Church. 

Given  by  vote  of  the  annual  conference. 


Bishop. 

Date  Secretary 

//.     License  for  Deaconess. 

This  is  to  certify  that  — '■ is  an  approved  deaconess 

in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  so  long 
as  conduct  and  teaching  are  conformable  with  the  gospel 
of  Christ  and  the  government  of  the  Church. 

Authorized    by    the    quarterly    conference    of 

charge  annual  conference. 

Date Conf.    Supt. 

12.     Permanent  License  for  Deaconess. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  an  approved  deaconess 

in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  so  long 
as  her  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with  the 
gospel  of  Christ  and  the  government  of  the  Church,  and 
has  been  consecrated  to  the  office  of  deaconess  by  the 

laying  on  of  hands  at this  — — —  day  of in 

the  year  of  our  Lord . 

Date •  Bishop. 


Section  III 

BEQUEST.S. 

/.     The  Missionary  Societies. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Missionary  Society 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  organized  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  said  Church,  INIay  20,  1853,  and  in- 
corporated in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  September  23,  1854, 
and  reorganized  by  the  General   Conference  at  Topeka, 

Kansas,  May,  1905,  the  sum  of  dollars;   and  the 

receipt  of  the  treasurer  of  the  society  shall  be  a  sufficient 
discharge  thereof  to  my  executors  and  administrators. 
[Name] 

2.     The  Church  Erection  Society. 
T    bequeath    to    the    Church    Erection    Society    of    the 
I'nited  Brethren  in  Christ  the  sum  of  dollars,  to 


216  DISCIPLINE 

be  invested  according  to  the  constitution  of  this  society. 
[Name] 

3.     Women's  Missionary  Associatioir. 
I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  Women's  Missionary 
Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  the  sum  of 

dollars,  to  be  applied  to  the  purposes  set  forth  in 

the  Articles  of  Incorporation  adopted  March  28,  1890. 

[Name] 

//.     Church'  Trustees. 
I   give,   devise,   and   bequeath   to   the   Trustees   of   the 
United   Brethren  in  Christ,  an  incorporation  located  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  for  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 

Christ, dollars,  to  be  applied  as  follows: 

[Name] 

(ITcre  state  precisely  the  .'inu-pose  for  which  the  bequest  is 
made,  or  say,  "To  be  used  at  the  discretion  of  said  trustees  to 
promote  tihe  cause  of  Christianity  in  said  Church.") 

').  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminaty. 
I  give  and  bequeath  to  The  Bonebrake  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  located  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  authorized  by  the  General  Conference  of 
said  Church  in  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  May  2,  18G9,  and 
incorporated  according  to  the  laws  of  Ohio,  the  sum  of 

dollars;   and  the  receifit  of  the  business  manager 

shall  be  a  sufficient  discharge  thereof  to  my  executors. 

[Name] 


PART  VIII 
Special  Legislation,   1921-1925 

CHAPTER  XXXII 

Program  of  the  Church. 

Sec  TiON  I 

AIM. 

1.  The  aim  of  the  Church  is  to  win  people  to  personal 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ  and  to  enlist  every  member  of  the 
Church  in  full  service  for  God.  This  calls  for  strong, 
spiritual,  growing,  individual  churches;  for  effective 
leaders  in  local  churches,  in  annual  conferences,  and  in 
the  Church  at  large;  and  for  efficient  general  agencies 
through  which  our  churches  may  fulfill  their  mission  of 
developing  Christians  in  faith  and  service,  and  bringing 
the  gospel  to  America  and  the  world. 

2.  The  cultivation  and  development  of  the  spiritual 
life  of  the  church  membership  calls  for  Bible  study,  the 
family  altar,  the  cultivation  of  the  prayer  life,  personal 
Christian  service,  and  instruction  and  training  in  daily 
Christian  living. 

o.  The  program  of  the  Church  includes  enlisting  and 
training  the  people  in  the  practice  of  Christian  steward- 
ship; enrolling  and  directing  of  those  who  will  give 
themselves  to  whole-time  or  part-time  Christian  service; 
and  the  arousing  and  training  of  the  entire  church  mem- 
bership to  meet  its  evangelistic  responsibility. 


Section  II 

PRINCIPLES    OF    STEWAHDSHIP. 

1.  God  is  the  owner  of  all  things. 

2.  Man  is  a  steward  and  must  give  an  account  of  all. 
'•).     God's  ownership  and   man's  stewardship  ought  to 

be  acknowledged. 

4.  The  setting  apart  of  at  least  a  tenth  of  the  income 
as  an  act  of  worship  is  an  acknowledgement  of  God's 
ownership  and  man's  stewardship. 

217 


218  1>I.S(  IPLINE 

5.  The  separated  portion  of  the  income  should  be  ad- 
ministered for  the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  remainder 
recognized  as  a  sacred  trust. 

Skction  III 
Pkomotiox  of  Stewardship. 

1.  The  spiritual  life  of  the  Church  should  be  nur- 
tured by  the  promotion  of  the  principles  of  stewardship 
as  they  apply  to  life,  talent,  time,  and  possessions. 

2.  Each  local  church  should  appoint  a  stewardship 
chairman,  to  cooperate  with  the  pastor  in  giving  in- 
formation and  in  enlisting  members  to  be  faithful 
stewards. 

3.  As  new  members  are  received  into  the  Church 
they  declare  their  purpose  to  study  prayerfully  to  know 
their  duty  as  Christian  stewards.  (See  Chap.  IV,  Sec- 
tion I,  Paragraph  2.)  The  stewardship  chairman,  with 
the  pastor,  should  plan  to  aid  the  new  members  in  this 
study  of  stewardship. 

4.  Stewardship  should  be  promoted  at  the  annual 
conferences,  in  institutes,  in  district  meetings,  in  Sun- 
day schools,  in  Young  People's  Societies,  in  group  meet- 
ings, and  in  study  classes.  The  pastors  should  con- 
stantly promote  a  knowledge  of  stewardship  through 
sermon  instruction  and  the  distribution  of  literature. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

Financial  Plan  of  the  Church. 

Section  I 

TO  ilEET  LOCAL  CHURCH  NEEDS. 

1.  The  official  board  or  quarterly  conference  shall 
arrange  a  budget  for  the  current  expenses  of  the  local 
church,  this  budget  to  include  the  pastor's  salary,  janitor 
hire,  fuel  and  light,  and  all  necessary  expenses  for  the 
year. 

The  Every  Member  Canvass. 

2.  A  competent  committee  should  be  selected  to  give 
the  necessary  information  to  the  members  and  make  the 
annual  canvass  of  all  the  members  to  meet  in  full  the 
local  budget.  As  a  rule  this  canvass  should  be  made 
prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  conference  year. 

Officers  arid  Their  Duties. 

3.  The  official  board  or  quarterly  conference  should 
elect  a  financial  secretary  and  two  treasurers,  one  treas- 
urer to  care  for  the  current  expense  funds,  the  other  the 
benevolence  funds. 

4.  The  financial  secretary  shall  keep  a  strict  account 
of  the  payments  made  by  the  members  of  the  church  on 
both  the  current  expense  budget  and  the  benevolence 
budget  and  give  monthly  or  quarterly  statements  to  the 
members  of  their  standing.' 

5.  The  treasurer  of  the  benevolence  fund  shall  remit 
to  the  conference  treasurer  on  the  twentieth  of  each 
month  the  amount  received.  The  treasurer  of  the  cur- 
rent expense  fund  shall  distribute  the  same  as  ordered 
by  the  official  board. 

Section  II 

TO  RAISE  THE  BENEVOLENCE  FUNDS. 

Current  Operating  and  Enlargement  Budget. 
1.     The  Board  of  Administration  shall  determine  an- 
nually the  amount  of  the  current  operating  and  enlarge- 
ment budget.      This    budget   shall    include    the   require- 
ments  of   the   annual   conferences,   colleges,    home   mis- 

219 


220  DISC  ll'MNK 

sions,  foreign  missions,  church  erection,  board  of  educa- 
tion. The  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  Sunday 
school.  Young  People's  work,  evangelism,  ministerial 
pension,  and  administrative  work.  The  current  oper- 
ating and  enlargement  budget  should  be  of  such  size 
as  will  challenge  the  best  effort  of  the  churches,  and  yet 
not  be  so  large  as  to  be  beyond  the  probability  of  reach- 
ing the  full  amount. 

Aiinual  Allotmeni  and  Distribution. 

2.  The  board  of  Administration  shall  distribute  an- 
nually the  amount  of  this  budget  to  the  various  partici- 
pating departments  and  institutions.  It  shall  also  allo- 
cate the  amount  to  the  various  annual  conferences.  The 
quota  of  this  budget  shall  be  regarded  as  the  minimuni 
amount  to  be  raised. 

'.i.  The  annual  conference  may  confer  with  the  Board 
of  Administration  for  adjustments  of  claims  or  allot- 
ments. 

The  Annual  Conference. 

4.  For  the  raising  of  the  benevolence  funds  of  the 
denomination  and  for  promoting  its  spiritual  activities, 
the  organization  of  the  bishop's  area,  of  the  annual  con- 
ference, and  of  the  local  church  should  be  used. 

5.  The  finance  committee  or  council  of  administration 
in  the  annual  conference  shall  apportion  the  quota  of 
the  current  operating  and  enlargement  budget  to  the 
various  charges  and  give  direction  for  its  allotment  to 
the  individual  churches. 

6.  A  complete  list  of  the  quotas  for  each  individual 
church  on  each  charge,  together  with  the  amount  pledged 
to  meet  the  same,  shall  be  kept  by  the  conference  treas- 
urer and  the  conference  superintendent. 

The  Local   Church. 

7.  The  membership  of  each  local  church  should  be 
arranged  in  groups  of  families,  with  a  leader  or  captain 
for  each  group.  Through  these  leaders  information 
concerning  any  interest  of  the  Church  may  be  quickly 
distributed  to  every  family.  These  groups  may  be  re- 
garded as  classes  and  their  leaders  as  the  class  leaders. 

8.  Each  local  church  shall  appoint  a  competent  com- 
mittee to  give  the  necessary  information  about  the 
causes  for  which  the  funds  are  to  be  raised  and  to  make 


FINANCIAL     PLAN     OF     THE     CHURCH  221 

the    every-member    canvass.      These    persons    should    be 
trained  for  their  important  work. 

9.  The  canvass  should  be  made  each  year  sometime 
between  May  14  and  June  15. 

Collections  and  Payments. 

10.  The  members  of  the  Church  should  be  encouraged 
to  make  payments  to  the  current  operating  and  enlarge- 
ment budget  on  the  weekly  or  monthly  basis. 

11.  A  quarterly  statement  should  be  issued  to 
every  subscriber  to  the  benevolence  budget,  showing  his 
standing.  Where  subscriptions  are  over  due,  conference 
superintendent  and  pastors  should  give  attention  to 
collecting  the  amounts  in  arrears. 

12.  The  benevolence  treasurer  of  the  local  church 
shall  remit  funds  on  the  twentieth  of  each  month  to  the 
conference  treasurer.  The  conference  treasurer  on  the 
twenty-fith  of  each  month  shall  remit  to  the  general 
Church  treasurer  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Information  and  Education. 

13.  New  members  on  being  received  into  the  Church 
should  be  informed  about  the  benevolence  interests  of 
the  Church,  and  a  pledge  to  the  same  be  secured. 

14.  Information  concerning  the  benevolence  causes 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  should 
be  given  every  member  of  the  local  church  and  Sunday 
school  through  instruction  from  the  pulpit,  the  distribu- 
tion of  periodical  and  special  literature,  the  holding  of 
study  classes,  the  use  of  stereopticon  lectures,  and  special 
addresses.  Every  member  should  be  a  reader  of  the 
Religious  Telescope,  the  Watchward,  the  Sunday-school 
literature,  the  Evangel,  and  other  publications  of  the 
Church,  that  they  may  keep  informed  concerning  these 
interests. 

15.  If  practicable,  institutes  and  conferences  shall  be 
held  for  the  instruction  and  training  of  the  leaders  in 
promoting  the  work  of  the  denomination. 

Section   III 

ENDOWMKNT    AND    EQUIPMENT    FUNDS. 

Societies  and  institutions  requiring  endowment  and 
equipment  shall  raise  such  funds  by  a  canvass  to  be 
conducted  in  such  manner  and  for  such  amounts  as  may 
be  authorized  bv  the  Board  of  Administration. 


PART  IX 
Officers  and  General  Boards 

General  Of fieers.— The  bishops,  W.  M.  Bell,  H.  H. 
Fout,  C.  J.  Kephart,  W.  H.  Washlnger,  A.  R.  Clippinger, 
N.  Castle,  emeritus,  W.  M.  Weekley,  emeritus :  W.  R. 
Funk,  publishing  agent;  J.  M.  Phillippi,  editor  Religious 
Telescope;  W.  E.  Snyder,  associate  editor;  H.  F.  Shupe. 
editor  Watchword;  W.  O.  Fries,  editor  Sunday-school 
literature;  J.  W.  Owen,  associate  editor;  L.  O.  Miller, 
general  Church  treasurer;  W.  E.  Schell,  secretary  board 
of  Education;  J.  E.  Fout,  business  manager  Bonebrake 
Seminary;  C.  W.  Brewbaker,  secretary  Sunday  school 
and  Brotherhood  work;  Col.  R.  Cowden,  secretary 
emeritus :  O.  T.  Deever,  secretary  Young  People's  work ; 
A.  C.  Siddall,  secretary  board  of  Church  Erection;  P.  M. 
Camp,  secretary  board  of  Home  Missions;  C.  Whitney, 
secretary  emeritus:  S-  G.  Ziegler,  secretary  board  of 
Foreign  Missions;  J.  E.  Shannon,  secretary  board  of 
Evangelism;  S.  S.  Hough,  secretary  Board  of  Adminis- 
tration; Mrs.  L.  R.  Harford,  president  Women's  Mission- 
ary Association;  Miss  Alice  Bell,  secretary-treasurer. 
Women's  Missionary  Association. 

Board  of  Chureh  Trustees. — L.  O.  Miller,  Rev.  B.  F. 
Daugherty,  Charles  J.  Hall,  Rev.  A.  R.  Ayers,  Rev.  R.  A. 
Powell,  E.  S.  Neuding  (Term  expires  1929)  Rev.  E.  F. 
Wegner,  Wi  H.  Cassel,  C.  F.  Luckhart,  Rev.  W.  G.  Clip- 
pinger,  Rev.  A.  Orr,  D.  H.  Stoner   (Term  expires  1925). 

Board  of  Trustees,  United  Brethren  Publishing  House. 
— A.  S.  Kreider,  H.  E.  Myers,  G.  A.  Lambert,  A.  A. 
Maysilles,  Rev.  J.  A.  Lyter  (Term  expires  1929);  J.  M. 
Cogan,  Rev.  A.  W.  Drury,  Rev.  P.  M.  Camp,  William 
H.  Cassel   (Term  expires  192.5). 

Board  of  Edueation. — The  bishops,  the  presidents  of 
our  educational  institutions,  the  president  of  The  Bone- 
brake  Theological  Seminary,  es  officio;  J.  P.  West, 
M.  B.  Leach,  W.  S.  Reese  (Term  expires  1929);  R.  G. 
Mowrey,  W.  N.  McFaul,  H.  H.  Baish  (Term  expires 
1925). 

222 


OFFICKKS     AM)    (iKNERAL    OFFICERS  223 

Board  of  Trustees.  The  Bonebrake  Theological  Setn- 
ina/j/.— Bishops  W.  M.  Bell,  C.  J.  Kephart,  H.  H.  Fout, 
W.  H.  Washinger,  A.  R.  Clippinger;  Charles  J.  Hall, 
Rev.  S.  F.  Daugherty,  A.  A.  Maysilles.  Rev  G.  D.  Bat- 
rlorf,  Rev.  J.  H.  Harris.  Rev.  Ira  D.  Warner,  Rev.  C.  B. 
Fletcher,  Rev.  S.  E.  Long,  E.  N.  Funkhouser  (Term  ex- 
pires 1929);  W.  A.  Cochran,  C.  L.  Grabill,  Rev.  C.  E. 
Heisel,  Rev.  W.  O.  Fries.  Rev.  A.  W.  Drury,  Rev.  J.  W. 
Lilly,  Rev.  I.  E.  Riink.  J.  L.  Senseny  (Term  expires 
1925). 

Board  of  Control.  Siuiday  l^chool,  Brotherhood,  Young 
Pe<tples  Work. — Bishop  A.  R.  Clippinger;  W.  R.  Funk, 
publishing  agent;  W.  0.  Fries  and  J.  W.  Owen,  editors 
Sunday-school  literature;  H.  F.  Shupe,  editor  Watch- 
word, ex  officio;  C.  E.  Wilson,  Rev.  S.  C.  Enck,  William 
H.  Hodges,  Rev.  F.  B.  Plummer,  J.  H.  Little  (Term  ex- 
pires 1929);  Rev.  W.  A.  Weber,  C.  H.  Freeland,  M.  A. 
Honline,  Rev.  J.  G.  Huber   (Term  expires  1925). 

Board  of  Evangelism. — Bishops  W.  M.  Bell,  C.  J. 
Kephart,  H.  H.  Fout,  W.  H.  Washinger,  A.  R.  Clippinger; 
Home  Mission  Secretary  P.  M.  Camp,  ex  officio;  E.  H. 
Cadle.  Rev.  O.  E.  Williams,  Rev.  J.  H.  Paterson,  F.  N. 
Munch  (Term  expires  1929);  Rev.  J.  A.  Groves,  A.  H. 
Laughbaum,  Rev.  J.  E.  Shannon,  Elmer  Henderson 
(Term  expires  1925). 

Board  of  Control,  Home  Missions  and  Church  Erec- 
tion.—Bishop  H.  H.  Fout;  Rev.  E.  H.  Shuey,  Rev.  R.  S. 
Showers,  Rev.  C.  E.  Pilgrim,  Rev.  H.  W.  Trueblood,  H.  D. 
Thomas,  J.  S.  Wilhelm,  V.  H.  Miller  (Term  expires 
1929);  Rev.  R.  R.  Butterwick,  Rev.  W.  W.  W"illiamson, 
D.  W.  Bovee,  L.  A.  Rider,  Rev.  A.  S.  Hammack,  Albert 
Keister,  J.  S.  Kirkpatrick  (Term  expires  1925);  Mrs. 
L.  R.  Harford,  Mrs.  W.  O.  Fries,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Showers. 

Board  of  Foreign  Missions. — Bishop  W.  M.  Bell; 
Rev.  W.  F.  Gruver,  J.  H.  Ruebush,  S.  C.  Caldwell  (Term 
expires  1929);  Rev.  S.  F.  Daugherty,  Rev.  J.  R.  King, 
G.  A.  Lambert  (Term  expires  1925) ;  Mrs.  L.  R.  Harford, 
Mrs.  Albert  Keister,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Landis. 

Board  of  Trustees.  Women's  Missionary  Association. 
—Mrs.  L.  R.  Harford,  Mrs.  S.  S.  Hough,  Mrs.  A.  T. 
Howard,  Mrs.  J.  E.  Fout,  Mrs.  WJ.  O.  Fries,  Mrs.  Albert 
Keister,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Landis,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Showers,  Mrs.  V.  O. 
\Veidler. 


224  1MS(  IPLINE 

Trustees  of  Otterbein  Home. — Bishop  A.  R.  '  .  ^''nger, 
J.  M.  Cogan,  J.  M.  Phillippi  (Term  expires  1933)  ;  Bishop 
W.  M.  Weekley,  J.  M.  Cox,  F.  H.  Rike  (Term  expires 
1929)  ;  Rev.  W.  R.  Funk,  Rev.  J.  E.  Grimes,  C.  M. 
WJagner   (Term  expires  1925). 

Board  of  Trustees.  Quiney  Orphanage  and  Home. — 
Bishop  Wm.  M.  Bell;  Rev.  A.  B.  Statton,  Rev.  S.  C.  Enck, 
G.  C.  Snyder,  J.  Blackburn  Ware,  Rev.  J.  E.  Kleffman 
(Term  expires  1933);  Rev.  J.  S.  Fulton,  Rev.  E.  G. 
Sawyer,  J.  E.  Gassier,  Rev.  R.  S.  Showers,  Rev.  H.  M. 
Miller  (Term  expires  1929);  A.  L.  Lessley,  George  A. 
Wolf,  J,  H.  Ruebush,  E.  F.  Millard,  Ernest  A.  Phillips 
(Term  expires  1925). 

Board  of  Administration. — The  bishops,  ex  offieio: 
East  District.  Rev.  J.  S.  Fulton,  Rev.  A.  B.  Statton.  J.  R. 
Engle  (Term  expires  1929):  Rev.  R.  S.  Showers.  .T.  H. 
Ruebush,  W.  N.  McFaul  (Term  expires  1925):  Central 
District:  Rev.  J.  H.  Harris,  Rev.  J.  H.  Button,  H.  M. 
Whitcraft  (Term  expires  1929);  H.  E.  Myers,  Rev.  M.  R. 
Ballinger,  J.  M.  Cogan  (Term  expires  1925);  Northicest 
District:  Rev..  W.  L.  Perkins,  C.  L.  Raymond  (Term 
expires  1929);  Rev.  J.  E.  Shannon,  I.  J.  Good  (Term 
expires  1925)  ;  Southwest  District:  Rev.  W.  O.  Jones 
(Term  expires  1929);  R.  H.  Bennett  (Term  expires 
1925);  Pacific  District:  Rev.  G.  E.  McDonald,  Mark 
Keppel    (Term  expires   1925). 

Commissions   and   Standing    Committees. 

Commission.  Federal  Council  of  Churches  of  Christ  in 
America. —  Vice-president,  Bishop  W.  H.  Washinger; 
executive  committee.  Bishop  W.  M.  Bell  and  L.  O. 
Miller;  administration  committee,  Bishop  A.  R.  Clip- 
pinger;  interchurch  federation,  E.  L.  Shuey;  committee 
on  evangelism,  Rev.  J.  E.  Shannon;  committee  on  church 
life,  Rev.  A,  C.  Siddall;  committee  on  temperance,  Rev. 
H.  H.  Russel;  committee  on  international  justice,  Hon. 
A.  S.  Kreider;  committee  on  France  and  Belgium,  Bishop 
C.  J.  Kephart;  committee  on  foreign  missions,  Pres. 
A,  T.  Howard;  committee  on  home  missions.  Bishop 
H.  H.  Font;  committee  on  education.  Rev,  W.  E.  Schell: 
committee  on  religious  education,  Rev.  C.  Wi.  Brew- 
baker. 

Commission  on  Temperance  and  Prohibition. — H.  H. 
Russel,  chairman;  Jesse  E.  Eshbaugh,  J,  S.  Kirkpatrick, 
A.  S.  Kreider,  F.  P.  Geib. 


OFFICKKS     AND     (.i:.\Kl{AL    Ol- KUKHS  22.) 

Coini^.uion  on  Social  Advance. — Bishop  W.  M.  Bell, 
chairman;  J.  M.  Cogan,  R.  D.  Funkhouser,  H.  H.  Baish, 
Willis   Holliman. 

Commission  on  Federation  and  Church  Union. — The 
board  of  Bishops,  Rev.  W.  R.  Funk,  Rev.  J.  M. 
Phillippi,  Pres.  W.  G.  Clippinger,  Pres.  G.  D.  Gossard, 
Rev.  T.  D.  Crites,  Rev.  A.  B.  Station,  and  E.  L.  Shuey. 

Committee  on  Sunday-School  Lesson  Courses.- — Rev. 
W.  0.  Fries.  Rev.  J.  Wj.  Owen,  Rev.  W.  R.  Funk,  Rev. 
C.  W.  Brewbaker.  Prof.  M.  A.  Honline. 

Committee.  Ministerial  Pension  and  Annuity  Plan. — 
(Elected  by  the  Board  of  Administration) — Bishop 
W.  M.  Bell.  Rev.  J.  S.  Fulton,  Rev.  S.  C.  Enck,  Rev. 
A.  B.  Statton,  J.  R.  Engle. 

Committee  to  Devise  Plans  for  Recruitincf  and  Con- 
serving the  Ministry. — Rev.  A.  T.  Howard.  Rev.  J.  M. 
Phillippi,  Rev.  H.  F.  Shupe. 

Committee  to  Rewrite  the  Discipline. — Rev.  R.  R. 
Butterwick,  Rev.  J.  P.  Landis,  Rev.  W.  G.  Clippinger, 
A.  A.  Maysilles,  E.  L.  Shuey. 


INDEX 


Ahsent  Vo'ikus  for  (Jciu'ial   Coiifcrcncc  dclcgatPS,  42. 

Absent«'os   from   annual   conference,   oJ). 

Academies.  1(>;>. 

Administration.  Board  of.   s*  <;  Board  of  Administration. 

Agent  of  I'rinting  Establislnncnt  : 

duties  of,  106. 

election   of,    I'oCi. 
Aid  : 

from  Board  of  Education  to  students.  102. 

from   (Miurcli    Erection   Society,    l')'-i. 
Allegheny  Conference,  boundary  of,  ISG. 
Amenability  of  certified   members,   21). 
.\unual   Confenmce  : 

absentees  from,   oO. 

address  and  sermon   at,   o7. 

appeals  from.  812. 

appeals  to,  37,  82. 

authority  of,  319. 

Ixmevolence   funds.   40. 

bishop  pro   tempore,  o8. 

boundaries,   17,   186. 

business  sheet,  40. 

devotions.   3'8. 

district  organization,  40. 

electioneering  for1)idden,   30. 

examination   of,  44. 

examination   of  preachers,   39. 

examination  on   course  of   study,   74. 

finances.   220. 

lay    representation   in,   38. 

members  of,  38 

order  of   business   at.   40. 

presiding   officers,    38,   o7. 

secretaries,  38. 

sermon   and  address  at.  o7. 

treasurer,  38.  129. 

trial    of   preachers,   02. 
.\postles"   Creed,   211. 
Appeals  : 

court  of,  82. 

from    annual   conference,    82. 

from   class.   2i0,   82. 

fiom   quarterly   conference.    37,   82. 

from   stationing  committee,   0<>. 

right  of,  IS,  20. 

to  quarterly   conf<>rence.   30. 
Ap  )Iicants   for   Church    membership  : 

acceptance  of  appHeants.   19. 

committee  to  examine,  20. 

(piestions    to.    19. 
.\pportionment  to  members,  37. 
.Vssociatiou  of  conference  superintendents.  Tth. 
.Vuthorship  of  doctrinal  publications,   158. 

22G 


227 


Bai'iism  : 

doctrine    of.    14. 

formula    fov   afliills.    104. 

formula    for  cliilclrcMi.   l'.>."». 

upon  admission   into  tlic  Cbuich,   ID. 
IW'm'ficiary  aid,  102. 

colloctions  for.  1(52. 

d(din<iuents.   162i. 

recommendations    for.    102. 
Benevolent  funds,  40. 
JJeciuests  : 

forms  of,  2ir>. 

general  board  of  Ciiurcli   titiste(>s,  !t4,  210. 

llom(>   Missionary   Society.    122,   210. 

Women's  Missionary  Association.   i:.?T.  210. 
ISible  cau.se,  09: 
Bishops  : 

accountability  of,  o'S.  * 

addre^^s  and  sermon,  57. 

announcement    of    rw  jresentatiuu    in     the    (Jeuerul    Confer- 
ence, 41. 

annual  meeting  of.  oT. 

districts  of,  57.  185. 

duties  of,  57,   12i4.   120,   l!2t»,  170. 

election  of.   17.  97. 

eligibility    to   office   of,    17. 

missionary   oversight,   58. 

of  foreign  district,   7^9;   l.'JO. 

ordination  of  preachers,  54. 

organization  of  mission  conferences,  58. 

presiding  at  conferences.   57. 

pro   temijorc,  38. 

residences   of,   57. 

salaries  of,   57. 

special  sessions  of  conference,  58. 

stationing   preachers,    .jl>. 

superintendents"    association.    58. 

supervision  of  foreign  work,  5l>. 

trial  of,   0:5, 

vacancy   in    office   of.    5'J. 
Board    of   Administration. 

assemfble  reports,  !>0. 

auditing  accounts,  '.K). 

direct  genei-al  campaigns,  '.(5. 

duties   of.  9'5. 

fill    vacancies,   1V5. 

finan<'ial   plan  of  the  Church.  95. 

(General   Conference  exiKMise   fund.   44,  95. 

meeting  of  confei'ence  superintendents,   90. 

members    of,   915,   224. 

organization.    95. 

preachers"    pension    fund.   95.    170. 

recommend  changes  in   l/iscipliuc.  ;»0. 

study  charters,  90. 
Board   of  bishops,  222. 

Board  of  Control,   97.   22.'). 
r.nMid  of  Education.   17.   159,  222. 
r.ii;ird   of  Church    trustees,  general.  94. 

form  of  becjuest,  216. 
Board  of  Evangelism,  109,  220. 


228  DISCIPLINE 


Boiirds  of  trustees  : 
general,   44. 

c-lasscs  and  term  of  service,  44. 
local,    8!>. 
r.on.'brake  Theologic-al  Seminary  : 
annual   income,   1'6T. 
be'inest,  21(3. 

business  manager  of,   l(i.">. 
custodian   of   funds,    KJC. 
endowment   funds,    100. 
entrance  examination,   U>7. 
obligation  of  faculty,   107. 
officers  of,  10"). 
post-graduate  studies,  108. 
president,  duties  of,   100. 
trustees  of,  lor>. 

duties  of,   10"). 
under   control    of    (JeutMal    Conference,    IT. 
P.ook  Committee,  loS. 
Boundaries  : 

annual   conferences,   IS'O. 
l)ishops'  districts,   185. 
foreign  conference,   \U2. 
Branch   missionary  societies.   121,   128. 
Branch  society  W.  M.  A.,  constitution  of,  13D. 
Brotherhood  work  : 

committees    and   duties  of,    105. 
constitution,   lOo. 
members.    104. 
object,  103. 

officers  and  duties  of.   104. 
special  offering.   100. 
Building  of  church-hous<'s   and   parsonages,  SO. 
I'.iuial  of  the  dead,  formula   f*»r,  210. 

Cai.ikuknia   CoNFioiUOXC'K,  bouiulary   of,    180. 
Care  of  the  poor,  2lo. 
Central   District,    bishops."    ]Sr>. 
Certificates  : 

forwarding  of,  28 

limitation  of,  28. 

of  non-resident  members,  28. 

of  reception  of  members,  28. 

of  recommendation.  28, 
form  of.  212. 

of   transfer   of    members.    27. 
form  of,  212. 

of  transfer   of  preacher,   .">0. 
form  of.  2115. 

of  withdrawal,  219. 
form  of,  212. 
Children,  home  training  of,  00. 

reception  into  the  Chnrch.  20. 
Children's  Day,  '918,  99,   100. 
China   Mission  Conference,   boundary  of.    1!)2. 
Cliristian  Stewardship.  2il7.  218. 
Christmas  offei-ing  for  orphanages.   17."). 
Church  : 

disbanding  churches,  31. 

division   into  classes,  'M). 

government  of,   oO. 

local   organization,   80. 

membership  gron.i,  30. 


229 


origin  of,  9. 

trustees  of,  80,  04. 
Church  clerk,  aS. 
Church  deacons,  33. 
Churcli   I<]rection   Society  : 

administration  of  funds,   154. 

application  for  aid,  lot!. 

beciuest  to,  210. 

branch  societies,   152,   153. 

constitution  of,  l'.")l. 

duty  of  the   ministry,   154. 

granting  loans,    lo^i. 

insurance  for  secui-ity   of,   ir>4. 

lot  fund,   154. 

loans,  153. 

meetings.   152. 

membership,   151. 

rtame,  151. 

object,   151. 

officers  of,  151.  22^ 
duties  of,   152. 

parsonage  fund,   154. 

treasurer,  receipts  of,   1'5I3. 

under  control  of  General  Conference,  17. 
Church-houses  : 

building  of,  89. 

conditions  of  mortgages  and  liens,  01,  03. 

conference  or  district  property,  92. 

dedication  of,  2i03. 

division  of  interest,  02. 

duties  of  trustees,  SO. 

electing  trustees,  89. 

formula  for  dedication,  203. 

real  estate,  1K2. 

rentals  and  royalties,   03. 

sale  and  rent  of,  90. 

transfer  of,  02'. 

unuiSed  church-houses,  01,  15i3. 

vacancies  in   board  of  trustees,  89. 
Church  publications,    158. 
Church   union,   225. 
Church  records,  i-evision  of,  67. 
Church  treasury,  general,   ll?l. 
Church  trustees,  general  board  of,  94,  222. 
Circuit  finance  committee,  37. 
Circulating  Church  literature,  duty  of,  68. 
Civic  affairs,  88. 
Classes  : 

division  of  church  into,  30. 

local  church  organization,  30. 
Classification  of  ministry  ; 

Classes,    52. 

How  determined,  52'. 
Class-leaders  : 

dismissal   of,  31. 

duties  of,   31.   32. 

election  of,  30. 

holding  meetings,   31. 

in  ele<"tion  of  (Jeneral  Conference  delegates,  41 

in  trials.  26,  27. 

(pinlifications  of,  31. 

records  of,   31. 

visiting  sick  and  delinquent,   31. 


230  DISCIPLINE 


Class-stewards  : 

dismissal  of,  o2. 

duties  of,  'A2. 

election  of,  3^2',  07. 

in  election  of  General  Confeience  delegates,   -I'J. 
Clerk,  church,  '?>^. 
Collections  : 

general,  08. 

missionary,  68. 

for  budget,   312i. 
College-extension  courses,  164. 
Colleges  : 

conference   cooperation,   161. 

endowment  funds,  163. 

establishing  new  colleges,  161,  103. 

extension  courses,   164. 

industrial  education,   164. 

musical   training,   164. 

religious  training,   164. 

X'ules  relating  to,  161,  163. 

standard  of  courses,  160, 
Colorado  Conference,  boundary  of,   186. 
Columbia  River  Conference,  boundary  of,  186. 
Commissions  : 

federal  council   of  churches,   224. 

federation  and  church  union,  205. 

social  advance,  224. 

temperance  and  prohibition,  224. 
Committees  : 

estimating  committee,  34,  37. 

for  examination  of  elders,  54. 

for  ministerial  pension  and  annuity  plan,  225. 

for  recruiting  and  conserving  the  ministry,  225. 

for  rewriting  the  discipline,   2»2t5. 

for    trial   of   annual-conference  preachers,   62. 

for  trial  of  quarterly-conference  preachers,  61. 

for  trial  of  memibers,  2!5. 

standing  committee  on    Sunday-school  lesson   coiii'ses.    118. 
225. 
Conference : 

annual,  see  Annual  Conference. 

General,   see  General  Conference. 

quarterly,  see  Quarterly  Conference. 
Conference  district : 

organization  of,  40. 
Conference  superintendents  : 

association  of,  58. 

council   of   administration,   '55. 

duties  of,  '55. 

as  to   urging  the  minimum   salary,   56. 

in  election  of  General  Conference  delegates,  42. 

regarding  incorporation   of  church   trustees,    56. 

election  of,  54. 

power  to  dismiss  pastors,  56. 

power  tK)  exchange  pastors,  56. 

reports   of,   55. 

support  of,  55. 

trial  of,  63. 

vacancies  filled,  56. 
Confession  of  Faith,  13,  17. 

changes  in,  17. 

of  the  Christian  Sabbath,  15. 

of  the  Church.  14. 


INDEX  231 


of  Creation   and   pidvidcncc.   1  .'V 

of  depravity,  li-t. 

of  the  fut/iire  state,   1.",. 

of  God  and  the  Holy   'i'riiiKv.    l:'.. 

of  the  Holy  Ghost,  j.",. 

of  the  IToly   Scripture's,   i:!. 

of  Jesus  Christ,  !«. 

of  justification,  14'. 

of  regeneration  and  adoption.  14. 

of  the  sacraments,  14. 

of  sanctification,  1'5. 
Consecration  : 

of  a  deaconess,  2(>']. 

of  a  foreign   missionary.    191), 

of  a  home  missionary,   198. 
Constitution  of  Church,  It). 

amendments  to,  18. 
Contests  in  elections,  43. 
Contributions  to  budget,  3'2. 
Corner-stone  laying,   formula  for,   202. 
Council   of   administration,   60. 
Courses  of  reading  and  study  : 

for  annual-conference  preachers,   75,  77. 

for  deaconesses,  T9,  80. 
for  German  preachers,  78. 

for  quarterly-conference   preachers,   4i8,    73. 

completing  the   course,   75. 

examinations.  73,  74. 

exemption  from  examination.  .10.  7."». 

seminary  graduates,  75. 
Courses  of  study  in  the  colleges  : 

extension  courses,  1'64. 

standaird  of,  3  60. 
Court  of  appeals,  IT,  82. 

Day  of  Prayer  for  students,  162. 
Deacons,  3>3. 
Deaconesses,  71. 

consecration  of,   18'9. 

course  of  situdy,  ?9. 

German  course  of  study,  80. 

homes  for,   72. 

license,  form  of,  21i5. 

permanent  license,  form  of,  21i5. 
Dead,  formula  for  burial  of,  210. 
Dedication  of  churches,  formula  for,  203. 
Dedication  of  parsonages,  formula  for,  205. 
Delegates  to  the  General  Conference  : 

expenses  of,  44. 

how  elected,  41. 
Delinquent  non-resident  members,  20. 
Director  of  Young  People's  Work,  101. 
Disbanding  classes,  81. 
Discipline : 

power  to  repeal,  IG. 

to  recommend  changes,  96,  22'5. 
Dismissals  : 

of  class-leaders,  31. 

of  class-stewards,  'SQ. 
Disobedience  to  order  of  Church,  25. 
Disputes,  26. 


282  DISCIPLINE 


Districts  : 

aumial  conference,  18C. 

'biosliops.  185. 
Divorce  and  divorced  persons,  47,  40,  87. 
l>octrinal  publications,   WS. 
Doctrines  of   the   Church,    13. 
Duties  of  Bishops,  'u'7. 
Duties  of  conference  superintendents,  55. 
Duties  of  members,  21. 

care  of  poor,   2/'6. 

delinquent  members,  23. 

family  piety,  21. 

love  to  others,  22. 

means  of  grace,  21. 

necessity  of  union,  2!4, 

nonconformity  to  world,  28. 

obedience,  20,  'M. 

receiving  ministers,  2S. 

Sabbath  observanee,   22. 

Sunday  schools,  22. 

singing,    21. 

support  of  general  interest,  22. 

support  of  gosi^el,  22. 

Young  People's  Societies,   221. 
Duties  of  preachers,  60. 

East  District,  bishop's,  18'5. 

East  Pennsylvania  Conference,  bofundary  of,   187. 
East  Ohio  Conference,  boundary  of,   187. 
Education  : 

academies,  163. 

Board  of,  see  Education,  Board  of,  15®,  2)22.. 

Bonebrake  Seminary,  see  Bonebrake  Seminary,  165. 

colleges,  see  Colleges,  103. 

college  extension  courses,   164. 
Education,  Board  of  : 

annual-conference  board,  161. 

beneficiary  aid,  162, 

constitution  of,  159. 

beneficiary   delinquents,   162. 

Education  Day,   162. 

Education  Day  offering,   li63. 

education  fund,  161. 

establishment  of  schools,   161,   163. 

executive  committee,  160. 

general  aim,  160. 

officers  of,  l&O,  2-22. 

organization,  159. 

quadrennial  report,  161. 

recommendations  for  aid,  162. 

reports  and  recommendations,  160. 

S'ecretaii-y  of  Education,  1'5I9'. 
Education  Day,  162. 

Educational  institution,   see  Education,   159. 
Elders  : 

election  to  orders,  '54. 

examining  committee,  duties  of,  54. 

examination  of  condidates  for  orders,  53. 

functions  of,  54. 

in  the  General  Conference,  16. 

license  of,  202. 

ordination  of,  '5^4: 

formula  for,  19t6. 


INDEX  233 


qnesMons  regarding  candidates,  5i3. 

defined,  o^. 
F^lection  of  (Jeneial  Conference  delegates  : 

absent  voters,  41?. 

annual-conferent'e  tellers,  41. 

bishops'  announcement,  41. 

boards  of  election,  42. 

conference  representation,  40. 

nomination  of  delegates,  41. 

nominees  and  t»lanks,  42. 

publication   of   results,   4i:i. 

returns  of,  42. 
Electioneering  forbidden,  3X9. 
Erie   Conference,   boundary  of.   187. 
Estimating  committee,  3i4,  8<7. 
Evangelism,  Board  of  : 

classification  of  evangelists.  170. 

conference  and  local  organization,  169. 

membership,  160,  2i2i:3. 

secretary  of,  160. 
Evangelists  : 

authorized,  53,  170. 

classification  of,  170. 
Examinations  : 

of  annual  conferences,  17,  44. 

of  annual-conference  preachers,   74. 

of  deaconesses,  72. 

of  preachers  regarding  life,  3i9'. 

of  quarterly-conference  ipreachers,  48,   7'3. 
Exchange  of  pastors  by   conference  superintendents,   56. 
Expelled  preachers  not  to  be  received,  50. 
Expulsion  : 

of  annual-conference  preachers,   02. 

of  quarterly-conference  preachers,  61. 

Family  Piety,  21. 
Financial  plan  of  the  Church  : 
Board  of  Administration,  Oio,  210,  22<>. 
benevolence  funds,   210. 

annual  allotment  and  distribution,  220. 
annual   conference.   220. 
collections  and  payments,  2'21. 
current   operating  and   enlargment  budget,   219. 
information   and  education,  2^21. 
the  local  church,  220'. 
endowment  and  equipment  funds,  221. 
local  church  funds,  219. 
(l>udget,  219. 

every    member   canvass,   219. 
officers  and  their  duties,  219. 
general  stewards,  3i6. 
Florida  Conference,  boundary  of.  18«. 
Foreign  district  : 
bishop  of,  5II>. 
boundaries  of,  185. 
Foreign  mission  conferences  : 
China,  192L 
Japan,  192. 
Philippines,  192. 
Porto  Rico,  1^2. 
West  Africa,  192, 
delegates  of,  40,  13<2. 


234  DISCIPLINE 


F"oreign  Missionary  Society,  17,  126. 
Forms  : 

bequests  to  board  of  Church  trustees,  210. 

tK)  Church  Erection   Society,  21".. 

to  missionary  s<K'ieties,   2irt.     . 

to    Bonel)rake  TiiHological    Seminary,   2H1. 

to    Women's    Missionary    Association,    21t». 
certificates,  212. 

of  recommendation,  212.         — 

of  transfer  of  memiber,   212. 

of  withdrawal,   212. 
transfer  of  preacliers,  2ir>. 
licenses,  218. 

for  annual-conference  preachers,  213. 

for  deaconess,  21io. 

foo"  deaconess^ — permanent,  215. 

for  elder.  214. 

for  lay  preacher.  213. 

for  quarterly-conference  preacher,   213. 

for   quarterly-conference   preacher — permanent,   213. 
Preacher's  certificate  of  reception  from  another  denomination, 

214. 
Formulas : 

Apostles'  Greed,  211. 

ttaptism  of  adults,  194. 

baptism  of  children,  l'9i.">. 

burial  of  the  dead,  210. 

thurch   dedication,  203. 

consecration  of  a  deaconess,  201. 

consecration  of  a  foreign  missionary,  199. 

consecration  of  a  home  missionary,  198. 

holy  communion,  1W^. 

laying  of  corner-stone,  202. 

Lord's  prayer,  211. 

marriage  ceremony,   207. 

with  ring,  2-08. 
ordination  of  elders,  196. 
parsonage  dedication,  20'5. 

reception   of   members   into   the   Church,    193. 
Four-year  program,  t)i5,  217. 

General  Conference  : 

absent  voters  for  delegates,  42. 

appeals  to,  83. 

advisory  delegates  at  large,  40. 

bishops'   announcement  of  renresentation,  41. 

blanks,  42. 

boards  of  trustees,  44. 

boundaries  of  annual  conferences,  17,  1'86. 

canvassing  and  publication  of  returns.  43. 

composition  of,  16,  40. 

contests,  413. 

duties  of,   16. 

election  boards,  42. 

electrion  of  delegates  to,  16,  41,  43. 

of  officers,  44. 
election  returns,  42. 
entertainment  of,  43. 
examination  of  annual  conferences,  44. 
expenses  of  delegates,  4*3. 
expense  fund,  4*3,  95. 
limitation  and  restriction,  17. 
location  of,  413. 


NDEX  235 


meetings,  4i5. 

members  of,  16,  40. 

nomination  of  lay  delegates,  41. 
of  ministerial  delegates,   41. 

nominees,  list  of,   42. 

number  of  annual  conferences,  17. 

power,  17,  18. 

presiding  officers  of  17,  o7. 

quorum,   16. 

repi'esentation  in,  40. 

tellers  to  count  votes  for  delegates,  41, 

time  of  convening,  16, 
General  boards,   numbers  of,  22'2'. 

General  Church  treasury.  i>r»,  121,  129,  ir>:^,  166,  171. 
General  stewards,  3*5.  ' 

German  churches,  transfer  to  English  and  vice  lersa. 
Going  to  law,  27. 
Government,  obedience  to,  2*2. 
Government  of  the  Church,  30. 

Historical  Society  : 

constitution  of,  172. 

Geneiral  Conference,  recognition  of,  17(2. 

property  of.   174. 
History  of  the  Church,  outline  of,  9. 

Home  Missionary   Society,  see  Missionary   Societies,   Home. 
Home  training  of  children,  69'. 
Homes  and  orphanages,  175. 

Illinois  Conference,  boundary  of,  188. 
Immoral  Conduct.  2!i>. 
Incorporation  of  boards  of  tirustees  : 

for  church-houses  and  parsonages,  00. 

for  general  church  property,  94. 
Indiana  Conference,  boundary  of,  188. 
Intoxicating  driniks,  8f). 
Insurance  of  church  property,  90,  154. 
Iowa  State  Conference,  boundary  of.  188. 
Itinerancy,  17,  65. 
Itinerants,  see  Preachers,  itinerant. 

Japan  Mission  Conference,  boundary  of,  I9i2. 
Junior  societies,  115. 

relation  to  Women's  Missionary  Association.  108,  loO,  14«>. 

Kansas  Conference,  boundary  of,  ISS. 

Lay  Delegates  : 

in  the  annual  conferences,  ;;8. 
in  the  General  Conferences,   41. 
Lay  preachers,  46. 
Leaders,  class,  sec  Class-leaders. 
License  : 

granting : 

tK>   annual-conference   preachers,   4'9. 
to  deaconesses.   71,  72. 

to  preachers  by  quarterly  conference,   36,  46. 
renewal  of : 

quarterly-conference  preachers',  3i6,  4i8. 
Licentiates, 

Limit  of  transfer  of  preachers,  51. 
Limit  of  certificate  of  members.  28. 
Literature  : 

circulation  of  general  church.  «8. 


236  DISCIPLINE 


in  Sunday  schools.   101. 

in  Women's  Missionary  Association,  138,  VAS. 
Loans  of  Cluiroh  Erection  Society.  loK, 
r^cal  proachers,  52. 
Lord's  prayer,   211. 
Lord's   supper  : 

doctrine  of,  14. 

formula  for,  195. 

preparation  for,  SS. 
Lot  fund.  154. 

Marriage  : 

formula  for,  207,  208. 
marriage  relation,  8'T. 
marriage  of  divorced  persons,  ST. 
who  may  selomnize,  00. 
Members  of  boards,  2;22, 
Members  of  Church  : 

apportionments  to,  ?i~. 
certificate  of  withdrawal,  29. 
delinquent  members.  2'3. 
delinquent  non-residents,   29. 
duties  of : 

care  of  the  poor,  2i3. 

family  piety,  21. 

love  to  others,  22. 

means  of  grace,  21. 

necessity  of  union,  24. 

non-conformity  to  the  world,  23. 

obedience,  22'.  24, 

receiving  ministers.  2i3. 

Sabbath  observance,  22. 

Sunday  schools,  22. 

singing.  21. 

support  of  general  interest,  2*2. 

surjport  of  gospel,  22. 

Young  People's  Society,  22. 
membership  of  preachers.  20. 
reception  of,  10. 

acceptance  of  applicants.   10,  20. 

children,  20. 

committee  on   applicants,   20. 

formula  for.   103. 

persons  from  other  churches,  20. 

preachers,   20. 

ipreachei's  of  responsibility.   21. 

questions  to  applicants,  19. 

seekers,  20. 
transfer  of,  27,  61. 

amenability  of  certified  members,  29. 

certificate  of.  27. 
form  for,  212. 

certificate  of  recommendation,  28. 
form  of.  212. 

certificate  of  withdrawal,   2'9. 
form  of.  212. 

limit  of  certificate,  28. 

non-resident  members,   27. 

notice  of  forwarding  certificate,  28. 

notice   of    reception    of   certificate,   28. 
trial  of,  2r>. 

disobedience   to  order  of  church,  26. 

disputes,  2i6. 


INDEX  237 


going  to  law  forbidden.  27. 
immoral  conduct,  2.>. 
order  in  trials,  2'7, 
personal  trespass,  2G. 
record  of  trials,  27. 
right  of  appeal,  'M. 
Membership,  government,   and  ministry  of  the  Church,   19. 
Memtoership  of  preachers.   2<9i. 
Membership  of  promotional  groups,  30. 

formula  for,   193. 
Miami  Conference,  boundar.v  of.  18'8. 
Michigan  Conference,   boundar.v  of,   189. 
Ministerial  Pension  and  Annuit.v  Plan,  9i.'>.  170. 
annuities  : 

disabilit.v,   170. 
sui>erannuation,   17'S. 
deatUi   provisions,    179. 
funds,   177. 
management,   1~(\. 
membership,   17<>. 
rates  of  payment,  180. 
withdrawals,  184. 
Ministry  of  Church  : 

annual-conference  preachers,  4S. 
bishops,  ijil. 

conference   superintendents,    54. 
classification  of,  5'2. 
elders,  53. 
lay  preachers,  46. 
marriage,    who    may   solemnize,    60. 
preachers'   duties  in   general.   60. 
quarterly-conference  preachers,  46. 
reception   of  preachers  from  other  churches,   51. 
relation  to  foi-eign  missions.  12iSK 
trial  of  preachers,  61i, 
Minnesota   Conference,   boundary  of,    189. 
Mission  Conferences,  organization  of,  58.  123,  li30,  1&2. 
Mission  districts,  1212.  •    ... 

Missionaries  : 

dutdes  of,  131. 
reports  of,  131. 
salaries  of,  131. 
Missionary   Association.   Women's,  see   Women's  Missionary  As 

sociation,   1219. 
Missionary  Day,  122,  129. 
Missionary   Societies  : 
Foreign  : 

annual-conference  treasurer,  129. 
bequests,  form  of,   215. 
bishops,  duties  of,   129. 
board  of  directors,  126,  223. 

duties  of,  127. 
branch   organizations,   128. 
conferences,  130. 
course  of  study  and  rules,  li32, 
constitution.   12(;. 

executive  committee,  duties  of,   127. 
functions,   12i<>. 

general  secretary,  duties  of.  12i8. 
local  organization.   128, 
membership.  126. 
ministry,  relation  of,  I2i9. 
mission  council,  131. 


238  DrsciPLiNE 


mission  conference,  loO. 

powers  ami  duties  of,   132. 
representation.  1:^2^. 

missionary  day,   V3'^, 

name,    121). 

officers,  126. 

organization,  12r.. 

reports,   131. 

Sunday  school,  relation  of,  120. 

superintendents,   180. 

supervision   of.   59. 

treasurer,  duties  of,  129. 

under  control  of  (Jeneral  Conference,  17. 
Home : 

apt^lication  for  appropriation,   124. 

bequests  to,   122*. 
form  of.  2!lt>. 

board  of  control,  duties  of,   121.   223. 

branch  societies.  121. 

constitution,   120. 

duties  of  bishops,  124. 

duties  of  pastors,  1213. 

funds,  l'2i2. 

local  organization,  122. 

membership.  120. 

mission  districts,   122. 

mission  conference,  123, 

missionaries,  12!3. 

missionary   day,   122, 

object,   120, 

officers,  duties  of,  120, 

opening  new  missions,   124. 

organization.   120. 

rural  life.  125. 

self  support,   124. 

social  service,  84,  Ii2i3. 

special  support,  122. 

►Sunday  schools,  relation  of,  122, 

treasurer   of  benevolences,   124', 

under  control  of  General.  Conference,  17. 

unoccupied   territory.   123, 
Women's,  see  Women's  Missionary  Association,  134, 
Mission  Conferences,  123,  130,  192, 
Missouri   Conference,   boundary  of,    1S)f>. 
Montana  Conference,  Ixtundary  of.  lvS'9. 
Moral  reform,  84. 

civic  affairs,  H8. 

divorce.  87. 

oaths.  W. 

secret  combinations,  80. 

slavery,   80. 

Sabbath  observance,  8G. 

social  service.  7'S,  123. 

temjDerance,  85. 

tobacco,  80. 

war,  87. 
Moving  the  preacher,  70. 

Nebraska  Conferenck,  lx)undary  of.  180. 
New  Mexico  Conference,  boundary  of.  189. 
New  .schools,  formation  of,   101.  ' 
Nonconformity  to  the  world,  23. 
Northwest  District,  bishop's,  185. 


INDEX  239 


Oaths.  87. 

Obedience,  duty  of.  24. 

Officers  and  general  boards,  222. 

Official  boards: 

duties  of,  3a. 

exeeutdve  council.   3'), 

memibers  of,  33,  3'), 

review  by  quarterly  conference,  3'). 

revision  of  records  by,  34. 
Ohio  German  Conference,  boundary  of,  189. 
Oklahoma  Conference,  boundary  of,  189. 
Old   People's   Homes.    175. 
Orders,  election  to  elders,  54. 
Ordination  : 

of  elders,  54. 

formula  for,   106. 
Oregon  Conference,  boundary  of,  189. 
Origin  of  the  Church,  9'. 
Orphanages.   175. 
Otterbein  Guild,   14'5. 
Otterbein   Home,    I'TS.   2i24. 

Christmas  offering  for,  17'5. 

Pacific  District,  bishop's,  185. 
Parsonages : 

abandoned,  91. 
building  of,  89.  90. 

conditions  of  mortgages  and  liens.  91,  9(3. 
conference  or  district  property,  92. 
dedication  of,  2<K"». 
division  of  interest  in.  92. 
duty  of  churches  to  provide,  70. 
real  estate,  92. 
sale  or  rent  of,  90. 
trustees  of,  89. 
Pastor : 

duties  of,  see   Preachers,   itineranb — duties  of,   33,   66. 
duty  of  memibers  to  receive,  23. 
resignation  of,  65. 
Pastoral  charges,  66. 
Pastoral  visiting,  69. 

Pennsylvania  Conference,  boundary  of,  190. 
Pension  Fund,  preachers',  95,  176. 
Philippine  Mission  Conference,   boundary  of,   192. 
Poor,  care.  23. 

Porto  Rico  Mission  Conference,  boundary  of,  192. 
Preachers  : 

annual-conference  : 

accountability  of,  51. 
Bible  cause,  69. 

church  membership  of  preachers,  29. 
classification  of.  52. 
completing  course  of  study,   1^. 
correspondence   course.   77. 
course  of  study  for,  75,  78. 
directions  to,   60. 
educational  requirements,  49. 
elders,  see  Elders. 
•     evangelists,  58,  170, 
examination  of,  48,  74. 
exemption  from  examination,  50. 
expelled   preacher.   50. 
how  received,  4'8. 


240  DISCIPLINE 


itinerants,  nee  Preachers,  itinerant. 

li('ent(iates,  r>2. 

license,  form  of,  218. 

limit   of  transfer,  r>l. 

local    preachers,   18. 

membership  in  church   required,   29. 

qualifications  of,  40. 

reception  of,  48. 

resiK>nsibility  of,  21. 

sacraments  and   unordaiued   preachers,   50. 

transfer  of,  50. 

form   of   transfer,   215. 
trial  of,  612. 
general  duties.  60. 
preachers  not  to  trespass,  61. 
itinerant  : 

active.  52. 

annual  reorganization,  67. 

circulation   of  literature,   68. 

classification  of,  52. 

collections  b.v,  68. 

correction  of  records,  (>7. 

defined,  52. 

dismissal  of  appointments,   68. 

duties  of,  66. 

in  the  transfer  of  members,  27. 

to   Bible   cause,   69. 

to   church   erection,   104. 

to  foreign  missions,  129. 

to     Sunda.v     schools.     Brotherhoods     and     Young 
People's   societies,    1€0. 

to  the  poor,  2.'l. 
employment  of  other   than  itinerants,  66. 
evangelistic   w^ork,   169. 
examination   by  annual   conference.  W. 
how  constituted,  05. 
local,   512. 

membership   in  church   required,   29. 
ministerial  .relief.   17r). 
missionary  contribution,  69. 
moving  of,  70. 
parsonages,  70. 
pastoral  charges,  66. 
ipastoral  visiting,  69. 
pension  fund,   176. 
power  to  exchange,  56. 
presiding  at   tu'ials.  67. 
records  of,  68. 
reports;  of,    66,    (>7. 
resignation  of,  65. 
retired,  52i. 
salaries  of,   70. 
stationing  of,  65. 

appeal  from.  66. 
support  of,  22,  70. 
training   of   children.   69. 
withdrawal  of.  65. 
preachers  from  other  churches,  '51. 
quarterly  conference  : 

course  of  study  for,  4'8,  73.  78. 

examination   of.   48,   73. 

license  of,  46.  73. 

recommendation  to  annual  conference,   4'8. 


INDEX  241 


renewal  of  license    3(J,  48. 
trial  of,  'Mi,  (>!. 

required   to   liold   ohurfh   membership,   29, 

restrictions  upon,  «i(). 
Preachers"   I'cnslon   I'lind,  l>.j,   17(i. 
Printing   Ksta1)lishraent  : 

book  committee,  158, 

doctrinal  .publications,  108. 

editors,  15G. 

election  of  officers,  155. 

emplo.vment  of  time,   H57. 

inventory,    1'5<». 

local    committee,    15-5,    156. 

name,   155. 

proceeds  of.   1'57, 

publishing  agent,  duties  of,  15^6. 

trustees — election   and  duties,  1'5'5. 

under   control   of   (ieneral   Conference,    17. 

vacancies.  15'7. 
[Program  of  t)he  Church  : 

aim.  217. 

principles  of  stewardship,  ^IT. 

promotion  of  stewardship,  218. 
Property  : 

church-houses  and   parsonages,  89. 

general  board  of  Church  trustees,  94. 

title  to,  17. 
Publications,  Church,  l'5i8. 
Publishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment,   15'5. 

Quarterly  Coxferexce  : 

appeal  to  annual  conference,  37. 

appeals  and  trials,  H{\. 

apportionment  to  members.  o7. 

circuit  finance  committee  appointed  by,  ,37. 

duties  and  powers  of,  35. 

estimating  committee  appointed  (by   the.  37. 

examination  of  applicants  for  license,  47. 

examination  on  course  of  study,  7'3. 

general   stewards,   3(J. 

licensing  of  preachers,  30,  40. 

members  of,  3C 

place  of  meeting,  37". 

quorum  for   transaction   of  business,   35, 

recommending  preachers  to  annual  conference,  36,  48. 

renewing  licenses.  30,  48. 

reviewing  acts  of  official  board,   3'5. 

trial  by,  01. 
Quincy  orphanage  and  home,  1715,  224. 

Real  B-state  for  church  purposes,  92,  98. 
Reception  of  ministers  by  local  church,  23. 
Records  : 

church.    0«8. 

correction  of,   07. 

of  class-leaders,  31. 

of  trials,  2'7. 
Rentals  and  royalties,  93. 
Reorganization  of  classes,   03. 
Reports : 

of  bishops.   57. 

of  pastors,  55.  06,  07. 


242  DISCIPLINE 


of  conference  sihperintendonls,   r,7,. 

of  proceedings  of  (General  Conlfrcinr  .ml  lioiizcd.   J, 
Representation  in  the  General  ConfcnMicr.   Hi.  4(», 
Retired  ministers,  itinerants,  r>'J. 
Right  of  appeal    '2r>. 
Rural  life,  12I5.' 

Sabbath  Observance,  15,  22,  sr,. 
Sacraments  : 

baptism  and  the  Lord's   Supper,  14. 

formulas  for  administering,  104.   lHo. 
Salaries  : 

of  bishops.  57. 

of  church  erection  secretar.\ .   l.VJ. 

of  editors,  156. 

of  general  Church  treasui'er.  171. 

of  missionaries,  70,   131. 

of  missionary  secretary  and   treasurer.   121,   129. 

of  pastors.   T'O. 

of  publishing  agent,  150. 
Sandusky  Conference,  boundary  of,   1 '••(>. 
Secret  combinations  : 

constitutional  provision,   18. 

law  on,  86. 
Secretaries   of   annual   conferences, 
Security  of  general  Church  treasurer,  171. 
Seekers.  20. 

Seminary  graduates  exempt  from  examinati<»us.   75. 
Sermons,  special : 

by  bishops,  5'7. 

on  missions,  00. 
Singing,  21. 
Slavery,  18,  80. 
Social  service,  84,  1213. 

Southeast  Ohio  Conference,  boundary  of,  1H1. 
Southwest  district,  bishop's,  185. 
Special  rules,  84. 

St.  Joseph  Conference,   boundary  of.   l^U. 
Stationing  Committee  : 

appeal  from.  00. 

for  bishops,  57. 

for  pastors,  05. 
Stewards,  see  Classes  towards,  32. 
Stewardship  : 

principles  of,  217. 

promotion  of,  218. 
Sunday  school.  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work  : 

annual-conference  relations,  99. 

board  of  control,  97,  2'23. 

Children's  Day,  100. 

committee  on  lesson  courses,   1 18. 

constitution  of  general  board,  97. 

duties  of  officers.  919. 

executive  committee,   98. 

funds,  98. 

meetings,  97. 

memlbers  of  board,  97. 

object,  0*7.  i 

officers,  97^. 

pastor's  relations,   100. 

secretaries.  ©0. 

under  control  of  General  Conference,   17. 

vacancies,  9®'. 


INDEX  243 


Sunday-school  work..   101. 

constitution  for,  101. 

duties  of  officers.  101. 

duty  of  members  toward,   22. 

elections  in,  102. 

missions  in.  KtCrJ. 

organization  of,   101. 

organized  classes,   102. 

pastor's  relation  to,  lOl. 

relation   to  missionary  work,  10,3,   122,   12.S.  12fi.   129. 
Superannuated    ministers,    sec   Retired    Itinerants,    ~/2. 
Superintendents  of  Sunday  schools,  101.  102. 

election  by  the  official  board  .provided  for,   102. 
Superintendents'  Association,  58. 
Sivoernumerary  ministers,  see  Local  Itinerants,  o2. 
Support  of  general  interests,  23. 
Support  of  the  gospel.  20. 
Suspension  of  preachers,  61.  02. 
Teachers  of  Sunday  schools,   102. 
Tellers  : 

annual-conference.  41. 

local,  42. 
Temperance,  So. 

commission,  So. 

day.   8"). 
Tennessee  Conference,  boundary  of,  191. 
Tenure  of  office,  45. 
Tobacco.  47,  4^9,  86. 
Transfers  : 

of  memhers,  27,  212. 

of  preachers.  '50.   215. 

limit  of  transfer.  51. 
Transfer  and  withdrawal  of  members  : 

amenability   of   members,    29. 

certificate' of.  27.  212. 

certificate  of  recommendation.  2-S.  212, 

certificate  of  withdrawal.  29,  212. 

delinquent   non-resident   memhers,    29. 

limit  of  certificates.  28. 

membership  of  preachers.  2)9. 

notice  of  forwarding  certificate.   28. 

notice  of  reception   of  certificate,   28. 

non-resident  members.  27. 
Treasurer  : 

of  annual  conference.  ."vS. 

of  local  church,  :'.;{. 

general   church.   171. 

duties  of,  171. 

security  of,  171. 
Trials  : 

of  members.   25. 

of  bishops.   63. 

for  disobedience,  2(). 

for  immoral  conduct.   25. 

going  to  law  r>rbiddt'ii.   27. 

in  dilutes.  2r.. 

order  in.  27. 

personal    trespass,    25. 

right  of  api)eal.  2r,. 

president   at.   r>:{,  «;4. 

of  preachers.  <i1 . 

annual-coutVrence.  r.2. 
quarterly-coiifereiK  ••.  :;(;.  ci. 


244  DISCIPLINE 


of  conference  superintendents,  6'3. 

records  of,  27. 
Trustees  : 

Bonrbrake  Seminary,  105,  21213. 

of  churches.   89. 

of  j?eneral  boards,  44. 

of  Printing  Establishment,   loC,  222. 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  94,  222.. 

of  Women's  Missionary  Association,  135,  223. 
Union,  necessity  of,  24. 
Unified  Brethren  Publishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment. 

V.^CANCIRS  : 

in  bishopric,  59. 

in  conference  superintendent's  districts,   5«$. 

in   (ieneral  Conference  offices,   45.   95. 

in  pastoral   charges,   50,  00. 
Vacant  church-houses  and  parsonages,  91,   153. 
Virginia  Conference,  boundary  of,  191. 
Visiting  by  pastors,  09. 
Visiting  by  women,  150. 

War,   8)7. 

West  Africa  Mission  Conference,  boundary  of,   ]9i2. 
West  Virginia  Conference,  boundary  of,  192. 
Whitie  River  Conference,  boundary  of,  192. 
Wisconsin  Conference,  boundary  of.   192. 
Withdrawal  of  memibers,  2'9'.  212. 

Women's  Aid   Society,   constitution,   14fl. 
Women's  Missionary  Associatiion  : 
bequests  and   special  gifts,   137. 

form  of  bequests,  21<». 
board  of  managers,   13(4. 
board   of  trustees.    1.3i5.   22i3. 
children's  work,   department   of.    1139. 
constitution  : 

conference  branch,  139. 
general  association,    133. 
local   society,    142. 
Otterbein  Guild.   145. 
contingent  fund,  142. 
duties  of  officers  : 

conference  branch,   140. 
general  officers,  130,   137. 
local  society.  148. 
Ottierbein  Guild,   140. 
Evangel.  138. 

Junior,  C.  E'.,  relation  to,  139. 
literature,  department  of.   138. 
membership    134,   140,   143,   145. 
object,    133. 

officers  of  general  association,  13i0. 
organization,  1'34. 

Otterbein  Guild,  department  of,  137. 
relation  to  the  Church,   138. 
representation  on  mission  boards,   13i5. 
thank-offering  department  of,  13i8. 
Woman's  Day.   137. 

Young  People'.s  Work  : 
board  of  control,  97. 
conference    union    constitution,    lOtJ. 
conventions,  99',  I0i7. 


245 


director  of   Young   Pcopb^'s   Work.   101. 
funds,  [)S,  108,  112. 
general   secretary.   90. 
Intermediate  society  constitution,  ll."*. 
Junior  society  constitution,   115. 
president   member  of  quarterly   conference.   P."*. 
relation  to   church.   111. 

relation  to  Women's  Missionary  Association.   108.   ir'.O.   140. 
Watchword  and  Religious  Telescope,   114. 
Young  members  to  unite  with.  22. 
Young  I*eo(;jle"s  anniversary  day,  98.   100,   112. 
Voung  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  constitution 
lOS. 


